I bought a Bug Biting Plant Kit from Lowe's because I am trying different plants that are possible to keep indoors. The plant is supposed to be dormant until you plant it I guess. I watched youtube videos on it and read up but there wasn't too many solid answers how to deal with the plant. When I took it out of the package and planted it, there was a solid chunk of dirt attached to it. Only thing is, it wasn't just dirt. It was a solid inch thick root that had both Venus Fly Trap Plant AND Pitcher Plant connected so when I went to separate it, I snapped the giant root in half. I have no idea if this will kill the plant but this was over 2 weeks ago, roughly, and the plant is still green and hasn't completely shriveled or anything noticeable. The plant also hasn't exactly 'moved' or 'grown' in any way so I am not sure if I should just leave it as is and let it do its thing and water it every week or start trying to find 'solutions' to a problem that I don't know even exists. Thanks

These are carnivorous plants. They would normally grow outdoors and catch and eat insects.

If you grow them indoors, are you prepared to feed them meat in order for them to grow and survive?

These plants love to grow outdoors in shallow bogs and marshes. It is in these environments that they thrive. Where are you or how are you going to create a bog in your home?

People do grow them indoors successfully in terrariums for example. It is often after much trial and error.
I would do a lot of research on the Venus fly trap and sundews for guidance or suggestions. But I have attempted to grow these guys over the years and met with complete and utter failure. They are very sensitive to water that is not pristine clean. They succumb quickly when the water is not crystal clean. They demand high high high high humidity. A humidifier or two will be a must have. Spritzing water on them from a bottle won't make a difference.

BigBill said:These are carnivorous plants. They would normally grow outdoors and catch and eat insects.

If you grow them indoors, are you prepared to feed them meat in order for them to grow and survive?

These plants love to grow outdoors in shallow bogs and marshes. It is in these environments that they thrive. Where are you or how are you going to create a bog in your home?

People do grow them indoors successfully in terrariums for example. It is often after much trial and error.
I would do a lot of research on the Venus fly trap and sundews for guidance or suggestions. But I have attempted to grow these guys over the years and met with complete and utter failure. They are very sensitive to water that is not pristine clean. They succumb quickly when the water is not crystal clean. They demand high high high high humidity. A humidifier or two will be a must have. Spritzing water on them from a bottle won't make a difference.

Its an utter shame they dont advertise the actual needs of the plant but theyll gladly sell it for their f***ing wallet upkeep. Makes me absolutely furious..

I actually have a 5 gallon fish tank thats not being used. I will do research but what would you suggest I do with the plant? I could plant it in the tank and give it a light but Im not sure how to go about this now..

I think your plant may be a Nepenthes, a tropical jungle plant. I suspect the thing you broke was a piece of stem. Nepenthes grow easily from stem sections with a node. Yours must have had two. They do well in Sphagnum moss but, the moss must stay really, really wet. Run water through it every day. Unless your water is very hard, I wouldn't worry about it. How often do you have to clean the coffee pot of calcium buildup?

There is no need to feed it bugs or meat as it is a green plant so is photosynthesizing (making its own food) just like any other green plant. Bugs are fertilizer and Nepenthes don't need much. I have never fed any of my carnivorous plants.

It won't survive outside in New Jersey and doesn't want to live in a bog. Nepenthes are tropical epiphytic - they live in trees. I have mine growing with my mounted orchids.

It is aggravating no doubt.
I would try the fish tank. Lengthwise plant back half with potting soil to a depth of 2", slope towards the front. Carefully add water to the front half an inch deep. Put areas of sphagnum moss on back slope and plant your babies into the sphagnum pockets. Maybe add another terrarium loving plant here and there. Garden centers like Lowe's carry them.
Then get yourself a "full-hood" for the top of the tank with a full spectrum bulb. The hood will add to the humidity. Try having the light on 10-12 hours.
Never water the plants. Just use a mist bottle and apply enough mist to have it soak in. That's the best I can offer.

Video specifies Venus Fly Trap and pitcher plant
https://www.youtube.com/watch?...

Thanks Sally.

So a Venus Fly Trap and an American Pitcher (Sarracenia).

That's not coir, its milled peat moss.

Sarracenia and Venus Fly Traps are not compatible pot mates. Sarracenia need a cold wet winter and VFTs need a cold dry winter.

DaisyI said:Thanks Sally.

So a Venus Fly Trap and an American Pitcher (Sarracenia).

That's not coir, its milled peat moss.

Sarracenia and Venus Fly Traps are not compatible pot mates. Sarracenia need a cold wet winter and VFTs need a cold dry winter.

so how the heck do i separate them? the main root was a giant stump and i snapped it in half thinking it was just a clump of dirt.

You only have one of the plants. They were never connected. I think you must have the Sarracenia but, without a better photo of the leaves, I can't tell for sure.

DaisyI said:You only have one of the plants. They were never connected. I think you must have the Sarracenia but, without a better photo of the leaves, I can't tell for sure.

it makes sense that it would be one if theres only one big root but the kit, such as also suggested in the video, was supposed to have both the venus and the pitcher so i mightve gotten jipped. Heres pics anyway.

I'm voting for Sarracenia: that last picture looks like they might be a bunch of light deprived, semi-squished tubes.

sumire said:I'm voting for Sarracenia: that last picture looks like they might be a bunch of light deprived, semi-squished tubes.

Should i try to unsquish them or just leave them be to do it themselves?

Many stores take returns no questions asked as long as you aren't returning things frequently.

There are lots of plants to choose from but I guess these have a novelty appeal that many people cannot resist.

sallyg said:Many stores take returns no questions asked as long as you aren't returning things frequently.

There are lots of plants to choose from but I guess these have a novelty appeal that many people cannot resist.

See I dont mind the money but Id also rather adapt to the plant than just let it die and go get an easier one. Is there a way to 'euthanize' a plant lmfao...

Haha I guess dropping it in boiling water is a quick death.
But there is hope there...

sallyg said:Haha I guess dropping it in boiling water is a quick death.
But there is hope there...

so maybe if i get a fluorescent bulb and put it in the fish tank with raised humidity it could thrive?

Sarracenia have only 3 needs and, in my mind, are the easiest carnivorous plants to care for.

They must ALWAYS sit in water but the water needs to stay below the crown. That's the little root thing you buried.

They need sun. The sunnier the better. The guy in the video wasn't providing enough.

They need a cold winter. Do you have an unheated garage or shed with a window? Without a cold winter, it won't survive. Mine are planted outside in a bog I built.

They don't need a terrarium.

DaisyI said:Sarracenia have only 3 needs and, in my mind, are the easiest carnivorous plants to care for.

They must ALWAYS sit in water but the water needs to stay below the crown. That's the little root thing you buried.

They need sun. The sunnier the better. The guy in the video wasn't providing enough.

They need a cold winter. Do you have an unheated garage or shed with a window? Without a cold winter, it won't survive. Mine are planted outside in a bog I built.

They don't need a terrarium.

no shed where im at but the garage doesnt have windows so i would be restricted to synthetic lighting unless its allowed to be moved to the garage for the night when its not getting sun in the day.

Daisy is right. Myself, I would try to stay away from city tap water, especially if it is softened. Rain water, reverse osmosis water, or distilled water is best.

Don't try to unsquish the leaves. They will open by themselves. If they don't, then they are not mature enough to do it at all, and you will need to wait for new leaves that will. In the meantime, there is nothing wrong with having no "pitchers". As Daisy says, they don't need to eat to survive. That's a myth.

What is your minimum winter temperature, or zone? Sarracenia are hardy enough that you might be able to grow them on your porch against the wall. Mine freeze to a block of ice every year and they are fine so long as they don't desiccate. (Desert, you know.)