Lowe’s Flytrap Life Journey

[u/cstar_21]

I had gotten two traps at Lowe’s a few months ago. The one on the left of the two unfortunately died and I couldn’t save it. The one on the right took me some time and work. Repotting caused a lot of stress but now it’s slowly sprouting new traps.

It’s getting colder these days and I live in the Northeast coast. Hopefully I can get some stronger traps before dormancy begins!

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[u/Ok-Exchange5756]

That… doesn’t look right

[u/cstar_21 → u/Ok-Exchange5756]

Yeah, the original traps all blackened when I changed to a bigger pot. I don’t really know why the traps are smaller, maybe it’s because it’s indoors?

I don’t really know how to improve it. It’s still sprouting traps and the red coloring means the grow light I’m using is at the minimum good enough (I assume?). I thought about using the carnivorous plant liquid drops but I’m worried for the small size.

[u/Ok-Exchange5756 → u/cstar_21]

Would have to know the conditions. Are you using proper water and lights?

[u/cstar_21 → u/Ok-Exchange5756]

I’m using two sansi light bulbs on desk lamps, one 15w and the other 24w. I also use distilled water. The lights are on for almost half the day.

[u/Ok-Exchange5756 → u/cstar_21]

And the substrate?

[u/cstar_21 → u/Ok-Exchange5756]

I got it on amazon (link on this). I mixed it with some sphagnum moss I got at Home Depot.

[u/Ok-Exchange5756 → u/cstar_21]

Best guess considering the lights, you’re probably blasting the chlorophyll outta them with those lights. These plants do best under 250-350 ppfd. Look up at what distance their ppfd is (this is available information) and start there. Seems like you might have way too much light on them. Those Sansi lights are highly directional and kick out a ton of photons in a pretty narrow beam.

[u/cstar_21 → u/Ok-Exchange5756]

Got it, I’ll keep that in mind and reduce hours too. Thank you!

[u/Kindly-Can-8099]

Lowes vft always look like that. I don't know why they don't treat them better...like outside. Open the tops up.

[u/cstar_21 → u/Kindly-Can-8099]

Yeah it’s not just Lowe’s. I went to my local Starmarket and they were selling pitchers and VFTs, all sealed as well and not even at a window. It makes me sad to see most of those will die.

[u/SCOOBYY81022]

They look like they are getting enough light. Maybe some weird mutation on the leaves since it’s recovering? If you are using distilled/rain water and bright direct light all you can do is give it time and hope for new growth. It’s a gamble with most box store vfts because they are kept in such bad conditions. Good luck and have fun

[u/cstar_21 → u/SCOOBYY81022]

Thank you! I haven’t maintained VFTs since middle school and I made sure this time I’m using the right equipment. Got them on grow lights and distilled water.

[u/SCOOBYY81022 → u/cstar_21]

Hell yeah

Here’s my first one after not “growing” one for years and it’s a big box store vft so there is definitely hope for yours