7 replies to this topic

[Marcia]

I'm starting again with fresh VFT seeds from a reliable source (when they arrive).

I just want to get answers to a couple of questions before they get here.

I've been reading about the Stratification process for some plants, is this something that would benefit VFT? Some sources say it is and some say it's not important. I just want the best start in life for the seeds.

Also, is there any need for a propagator of any sort or can i just sow the seeds into moist soil and leave on my windowsill.

[FlytrapRanch]

Stratification simulates winter for plants the seeds of which are accustomed to wait through a cold period before germinating in the Spring. This is most often the case for fall-blooming plants in temperate (rather than tropical) climates the seeds of which wouldn't have much time to grow that season before winter.

However, Venus Flytraps are Spring blooming plants. They produce their flowers early and the seed ripens and falls to the ground mid-season in Summer, and usually germinates almost immediately (10-25 days). So no stratification is necessary for Venus Flytraps, although if one doesn't plan to sow their seed soon, refrigeration helps to keep them fresh and the germination rate fairly high for a year or so.

[Marcia]

Thanks for clearing that up :)

[jimscott]

Do you have a way of providing more than window sill light?

[Marcia]

I have a heat lamp (it gives off a bright light) but that would burn them wouldn't it?

Edited by Marcia, 10 July 2012 - 14:22 PM.

[jimscott]

I've never used a heat lamp. Ultimately, they will need to be outside, in direct sunlight. But to go from inside to outside one needs to do so gradually. What I do for CP's, in general, is to pick days that are cloudy and reasonably close in temperature (~21 C). Then I put the plants under a something so they initially don't get any direct sunlight. Otherwise that would be too much too soon. Can that be done with your set of variables?

[Marcia]

jimscott, on 10 July 2012 - 15:47 PM, said:

I've never used a heat lamp. Ultimately, they will need to be outside, in direct sunlight. But to go from inside to outside one needs to do so gradually. What I do for CP's, in general, is to pick days that are cloudy and reasonably close in temperature (~21 C). Then I put the plants under a something so they initially don't get any direct sunlight. Otherwise that would be too much too soon. Can that be done with your set of variables?

My problem is that because i'm in the UK, we're having a bad summer and we're not getting many sunny days, it's mainly overcast.

Edited by Marcia, 10 July 2012 - 16:25 PM.

[jimscott]

That's not such a bad thing in the sense that it would make transitioning to outside easier. There's still a lot of summer left, so once adjusted to being outside, when the sun does prevail, they won't be put into shock. It may not seem like they would benefit from cloudy / rainy days, but even a little direct sunlight does more than one realizes, relative to artificial lighting. Man, I wish I could trade our seemingly endless sunny days for some your rain and relatively cooler temps!