Martin W Posted May 12, 2014 Report Share Posted May 12, 2014 Hi, My VFT has traps on the end of very broad, stumpy looking leaves which lay flat on the surface of the compost. It doesn't look anything like the plants shown with vibrant, strong leaves projecting the trap into the air. Is this a sign of deficiency of some kind, or is it just the variety of plant? Thanks, Martin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trev Posted May 12, 2014 Report Share Posted May 12, 2014 Could be due to low light, but without a pic it's difficult to say for sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin W Posted May 12, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 12, 2014 Hi Trev I've only had it a month or so. It spent the first fortnight on the west facing kitchen windowsill, now it is outside and gets a good chunk of sun (if it ever comes out). I'll take a picture tomorrow. Thanks Martin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mantrid Posted May 12, 2014 Report Share Posted May 12, 2014 leaf shape can vary considerably over the season depending on the genetics of the individual plants. many of my typical vfts show short broad leaves in the spring and longer ones in the summer whilst others are more or less the same all through the growing season. If they look healthy theres nothing to worry about. now ou have then in the sun you may notice them becoming less green and more yellowish, this too s normal for many vfts, possibly because they need less chlorophyll in direct sun and higher amounts of other pigments that have a protective effect bit like a sun block Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ordovic Posted May 13, 2014 Report Share Posted May 13, 2014 Perfectly normal for typical VFT's. Leaves with longer more upright petioles are usually only produced during summer (over the next month they should start to meet your expectations). If the plant continues to produce wide petioles (and there is no reddening at all of the traps) it might indicate a lack of sunlight. However, there are a few varieties that only produce the 'Spring & Autumn' rosetted leaves over the entire season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin W Posted May 13, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 13, 2014 (edited) Here's a couple of pics Edited May 13, 2014 by Martin W Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcus B Posted May 13, 2014 Report Share Posted May 13, 2014 Looks fine to me for spring growth. The longer leaves should soon follow as it gets more light and warmth. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trev Posted May 14, 2014 Report Share Posted May 14, 2014 That looks fairly typical for spring growth. There is a bit of rot on one of the new petioles, I'd remove that before it spreads, and ease back on the water. Looks like you have it potted in just peat? A 50/50 mix of peat and perlite or sand is better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin W Posted May 14, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 14, 2014 Hi Trev It's still in the same pot and medium I bought it in. I'll probably repot it in a week or two. Thanks, Martin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcus B Posted May 14, 2014 Report Share Posted May 14, 2014 You are usually better off re-potting it sooner rather than later in the growing season as the roots also get longer as the weather gets warmer. Deeper pots with a lower water level should help avoid the rotting of the new growth, a long with a better mix. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alexis Posted May 14, 2014 Report Share Posted May 14, 2014 They usually grow small traps and fat leaves in spring as they are more concerned with photosynthesising after the winter before concerning themselves with trapping insects. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin W Posted June 10, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 10, 2014 I meant to post ages ago. I repotted in a mix of sphagnum moss and vermiculite. It's now in a pot about 6" across instead of the tiny thing it came in. I washed all the peat off with distilled water before repotting. To be honest, it's not growing very vigorously despite being outside for at least a month. Is it still too soon in the year, or is it shock from being repotted? Could the vermiculite be a bad thing for it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest paul y Posted June 11, 2014 Report Share Posted June 11, 2014 vermiculite is generally avoided as it eventually turns to mush and raises the ph over time, it makes the potting mix more alkaline which is not good for vfts, 50/50 mix of peat and perlite, although ian salter is having very impressive results in just peat, I have seen the trials personally and ian is certainly onto something with it. regards paul Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gardenofeden Posted June 11, 2014 Report Share Posted June 11, 2014 I would avoid vermiculite for anything other than Pinguicula. I have found it harmful to many CPs. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin W Posted June 14, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 14, 2014 I've thrown away the moss/vermiculite mix and repotted it in plain sphagnum moss. Hope it's not too late? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carnicarni Posted June 14, 2014 Report Share Posted June 14, 2014 Don't worry. Vft are really strong !!! Eventually leaves will die and the plant will come back from the rizhome ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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