VFT Flowers

[Username]

My VFT is sending up two flower shoots. However, it was outside in a small greenhouse thing, and the greenhouse fell over. Luckily, the flower stalk didn't break, although it is bent.

I just have a couple of questions. Will this affect the plant in anyway (the falling over - the traps and the flower)? And at what height do flowers normally bloom?

Thanks in advance.

[HugoMorse]

My VFT is sending up two flower shoots. However, it was outside in a small greenhouse thing, and the greenhouse fell over. Luckily, the flower stalk didn't break, although it is bent.

I just have a couple of questions. Will this affect the plant in anyway (the falling over - the traps and the flower)? And at what height do flowers normally bloom?

Thanks in advance.

It really depends on how healthy the plant was in the first place and the quality of its growing conditions. If it was healthy then the plant may need a bit of recovery but should be fine. VFT's are hardy fellows. If it was not at its peak, then cut off the flower stalk regardless.

You didn't mention if the plant came out of the pot or if any substrate fell out. In either case some roots may have been damaged or broken, which will set the plant back. Just watch it and see if any traps start to blacken and die. If so, cut of the flower stalk and let the plant will use its energy elsewhere. If not, leave it.

Unless you are specifically looking to get seeds, I would cut off the flower stalk any way. Seedlings can take years to get to anything of a decent size. You will get much bigger plants from divisions and planting the flower stalk is a great way to get many plantlets forming. I seem to have 100% success from using the flower stalk this way.

[Username]

I don't know if this helps, but the tallest flower stalk in around 15cm and the shorter 5cm.

I think a little soil fell out the top, but I couldn't see any broken roots. The traps are smattered with soil (how would I clean that off without shutting the traps) and one has folded in on itself (should I cut that one off) but the rest look fine.

How would you plant the flower stalk? I haven't heard of that before. Is it just putting it in peat and waiting, or are there special circumstances?

[HugoMorse]

I don't know if this helps, but the tallest flower stalk in around 15cm and the shorter 5cm.

I think a little soil fell out the top, but I couldn't see any broken roots. The traps are smattered with soil (how would I clean that off without shutting the traps) and one has folded in on itself (should I cut that one off) but the rest look fine.

How would you plant the flower stalk? I haven't heard of that before. Is it just putting it in peat and waiting, or are there special circumstances?

I wouldn't worry about the plant being grubby or the bent trap. If the plant suffered shock or damage to the roots these will die off naturally and you can remove them then. If the dirty traps really bothers you, spray them with a mister to try and wash off the smaller bits of peat.

I wouldn't fuss over the plant. They always look grubby after a repot with traps full of peat. The best you can do is forget about the plant; let it grow, give it as much sun as possible, water it and before you know, it will be twice the size and ready to divide and start again!

To plant the flower stem, just poke it upright in the peat. Little plantlets will form around the base where it meets the peat. I normally cut the stem into pieces to get more plants this way. I have a top layer of live sphagnum moss on the peat surface and this has given me a 100% success rate so far. I tend to find the top layer amazing for all types of cuttings and have some Wacky Traps and Cudo's growing this way from leaf pullings.

I would only attempt for seeds if I was specifically looking to cross certain forms. Flowering doesn't hurt the plant as long as it has ideal growing conditions and is in very good health. I would have thought that this isn't the best time of year as the plants need to concentrate on growing after dormancy.

[Username]

Well perhaps I'll do that with the shorter of the flower stalks. I really want to see what happens to the taller.

[Username]

So I just cut up the shorter of the two flower stalks, put it in peat/perlite (50/50 mix), took a little live sphagnum from the sarra's pot (don't know where to buy it, so hoping it will take) and put it in the greenhouse (which is now nailed to the shed to stop it falling over). For water (rainwater), I soaked the soil, and put it in the bottom of a cleaned out milk carton with about an inch of water (same as I do with the VFT).

Is that all I need to do?

[HugoMorse]

So I just cut up the shorter of the two flower stalks, put it in peat/perlite (50/50 mix), took a little live sphagnum from the sarra's pot (don't know where to buy it, so hoping it will take) and put it in the greenhouse (which is now nailed to the shed to stop it falling over). For water (rainwater), I soaked the soil, and put it in the bottom of a cleaned out milk carton with about an inch of water (same as I do with the VFT).

Is that all I need to do?

In a word, yes.

[Username]

Ok, good. Just waiting now. How long until I can expect any growth? (weeks or months?)

[HugoMorse]

It can take weeks before you see any signs of new plants forming and I am talking about tiny little nubules that start to form on the stem. They always remind me of tiny aphids. Just make sure the plant has the best growing conditions you can give it, monitor it and forget about it. If you do this, you'll be surprised at just how quick the plant develops. Just make the plant is healthy when you check on it.

The only thing to worry about (and this is at a much latter stage) is that the Sphagnum Moss can grow quicker than the plants. Here is an old photo to show you how it will turn out. This plant was fighting for light amongst the Sphagnum Moss before I noticed how large it had grown. You may also find that the stem will die off, but just leave it. Once it is the right size, you can separate it and plant it.

[Username]

OK, thanks for your help. I hope it works.

[AAJ]

You will get much bigger plants from divisions and planting the flower stalk is a great way to get many plantlets forming. I seem to have 100% success from using the flower stalk this way.

Thanks for that tip, I didnt know that was possible either.

[Username]

Um, the cut up flower stalk has been in peat/perlite in the greenhouse since 20th April and no change except the flower stalks themselves have begun to turn black.

[HugoMorse]

Um, the cut up flower stalk has been in peat/perlite in the greenhouse since 20th April and no change except the flower stalks themselves have begun to turn black.

Yes, the flower stalks will die but it should not affect the growth of a new plant around its base. Unless the stalk has gone soft, I would still leave it rather than disturb it as the plantlets are unlikely to have any roots at the moment.

I done the same with a B52 flower stalk and will take a look in the morning to see if there is any new growth. I will try and take a photo too.

[Username]

Ok. I've left it, and am just waiting, keeping it topped up with rainwater.

[Username]

So, update. The flower stalks in the peat withered and died. So I chucked them.

I looked today and saw one of the flowers had opened to seed. Happy. There were 31. But when I was just about to plant them, the wind blew most of them away. Sad. So I think I've got anywhere between 4-7 that I managed to find and plant. I truly hope they germinate!

[Guest]

Great picture HugoMorse it really demonstrates the process you were talking about so clearly-thanks for showing us this picture!

Edited June 23, 2008 by Macca

[mrbadexample]

To plant the flower stem, just poke it upright in the peat. Little plantlets will form around the base where it meets the peat. I normally cut the stem into pieces to get more plants this way. I have a top layer of live sphagnum moss on the peat surface and this has given me a 100% success rate so far.

Where would you put it for best results? I've got a few planted up as per the instructions, but what now? Greenhouse? Propagator (heated / unheated)? What sort of humidity levels am I looking for?

Tips appreciated!

[HugoMorse]

As long as you treat them like any other VFT, you should be fine. That is strong sunlight and similiar water levels and you can't go wrong. Humidity shouldn't be important. The one thing I would suggest is to cut the spahgum moss much, much finer. This will allow it to key to the peat surface much better and have more contact around the base of the stem.

The only reason I love sphagnum moss so much is that it is so easy to grow cuttings in. I have had a plantlet form in the middle of a leaf where it been overgrown by the moss. It took me by surprise as I was removing the leaf to dispose of it as the trap had died and so had the exposed part near the plant. You can grow VFT's from practically any part of the plant. Brad posted a thread where, if I can remember correctly, he propogated a plant from a bract.

I am just in the process of cutting off flower stalks and planting them myself so will take photos at regular intervals to create a proper thread. Traditionally, I have always grown mine in a terrarium with strong light and very warm temperatures but my plants are now outside in a mini-greenhouse style cold-frame. Even the best light isn't as powerful as the sun ;o)

When you see the fiirst signs of life, they look like loads of miniscule nubules, which then develop and grow. It is fascinating.

The reason why I love growing plants from stems is that I hate to do leaf pullings off a really attractive plant and hate to waste the stems. It just seemed such a waste.

It looks like they are in a very sunny spot in your photo, so should be perfect. Good luck.

[mrbadexample]

As long as you treat them like any other VFT, you should be fine. That is strong sunlight and similiar water levels and you can't go wrong. Humidity shouldn't be important. The one thing I would suggest is to cut the spahgum moss much, much finer. This will allow it to key to the peat surface much better and have more contact around the base of the stem.

The only reason I love sphagnum moss so much is that it is so easy to grow cuttings in. I have had a plantlet form in the middle of a leaf where it been overgrown by the moss. It took me by surprise as I was removing the leaf to dispose of it as the trap had died and so had the exposed part near the plant. You can grow VFT's from practically any part of the plant. Brad posted a thread where, if I can remember correctly, he propogated a plant from a bract.

I am just in the process of cutting off flower stalks and planting them myself so will take photos at regular intervals to create a proper thread. Traditionally, I have always grown mine in a terrarium with strong light and very warm temperatures but my plants are now outside in a mini-greenhouse style cold-frame. Even the best light isn't as powerful as the sun ;o)

When you see the fiirst signs of life, they look like loads of miniscule nubules, which then develop and grow. It is fascinating.

The reason why I love growing plants from stems is that I hate to do leaf pullings off a really attractive plant and hate to waste the stems. It just seemed such a waste.

It looks like they are in a very sunny spot in your photo, so should be perfect. Good luck.

Thanks for this - I've cut up the sphagnum quite finely now. They are on a sunny windowsill, but I've always got the greenhouse as an option if they'd be better off there?

I've got a VFT with ½ a flower stalk from where I cut it some time ago. Can I cut it off lower and use that too?

I'm looking forward to your photos & thread.

[HugoMorse]

Yes, you can use the stalk with the flower. Effectively, all you are doing is the same as leaf pulling. Try that one in the greenhouse, to see what environment works best for you :o)

[Guest]

Looking forward to anyfuture thread on this topic!

Edited June 23, 2008 by Macca