Carnivorous plants for dummies

A short introductory guide to the cultivation of carnivorous plants

Many of you will have happened, at least once in your life, to see carnivorous plants for sale in a supermarket or at a florist. Curious about these mysterious and fascinating beings, and hoping to rid your home or garden of pests in a completely organic way, you will have bought one. After a few days, however, you will have seen the poor thing wither miserably. At this point, you will have found yourself at a crossroads: abandoning a seemingly too difficult task and go back to watering geraniums, or decide to inform yourself and try again in full knowledge of the facts.

I chose the second option and, by gathering some information in the magical world of the web, I managed to make specimens of different genera survive. Here are some basic tips to follow if you decide to take home a carnivorous plant. I’m not an expert, there are very well informed growers who can be very helpful for even the most complicated genera. I am just a beginner who has made it, at least to keep alive for years varieties that do not require excessive care or special equipment.

The generic rules

Before listing the peculiarities of some genera, let’s first of all see the basic rules that apply to all carnivorous plants, i.e. the things to do, or rather not to do, to avoid irreparable damage.

  • Do not touch the traps

Almost all carnivorous plants are equipped with traps, of different shapes depending on the genus, to capture and assimilate prey. I understand that it is tempting to try to put a finger in the trap to see the plant in action. Well, do not do it. Never. It takes a lot of energy to set a trap. If the plant has to engage in this effort to… to get a dry mouth, you understand that it will be damaged.

  • No tap water

Carnivorous plants are native to very nutrient-poor soils. For this reason they have evolved the ability to feed themselves by capturing insects and not through the roots like most other plants. Providing them with normal tap water, which contains a considerable amount of minerals, would practically kill them with indigestion. With a few exceptions, therefore, they should all be hydrated with demineralized water (the one for ironing, you know, easily available at the supermarket), or alternatively rainwater.

  • No general soil or fertilizers

For the same reason as in the previous point, do not use general soil, too rich in nutrients, or fertilizers. The ideal substrate changes from genus to genus, but in most cases it is a mixture of peat and perlite, available in specialized stores or online.

  • Do not feed them

Do not give in to the temptation to feel like Morticia Addams. They are not infants, they should not be fed. They know how to hunt autonomously and regulate themselves according to their energy needs.

The specific rules

Let’s see now in detail three different genera of carnivorous plants, the easiest to grow and also the most easily available (N.B.: each genus includes different species. When you buy a plant, inquire also about the species to which it belongs, because it may have special needs compared to other plants of the same genus). If you can, avoid buying them in supermarkets, DIY chains and the like. They are often poorly maintained, and unless you manage to rescue them at the last minute they may be short-lived despite your loving care. Rather turn to specialized growers. If you don’t find any in your area, wait for some floriculture fairs (there is almost always a carnivore stand), or consider buying online, not before you are informed with a quick search for the seller’s seriousness.

  • Nepenthes

The nepenthes is native to Southeast Asia. It ‘s therefore a tropical plant and can not stand low temperatures, so in winter it must be kept necessarily at home, near a window for light. In summer it can instead be moved to a balcony or garden (not in full sun), but if you do not have an outdoor space you can leave it in the house, preferably suspended or on a pedestal because the leaves that end with the traps (pitchers) tend to go down.

The ideal substrate is a mixture of peat and perlite in equal parts, but alternatively I tried coconut fiber (more easily available) and it seems to do as well. It does not rest in winter, so it can be repotted at any time of the year. It should be watered (always with demineralized water) every other day in summer, less frequently in winter. N.B.: these rules apply to the species of nepenthes easier to cultivate and to find on the market.

  • Dionaea

The dionaea, or venus flytrap, is perhaps the best known among carnivorous plants. Its traps are very similar to toothed mouths. It is native to North America so it does not fear cold and should be kept outside all year round so that it can rest in winter. Repotting is recommended in early spring. The ideal substrate is sour sphagnum peat, which can be mixed with up to 50% perlite. It should not be watered directly: put the water (should I repeat it? Demineralized!) in the saucer, keeping the level at 2-3 centimeters.

  • Sarracenia

Like the dionaea, sarracenia is also native to North America, so the same rules apply: all year round outside, repotting in early spring, substrate of peat and perlite, water in the saucer. It ‘s very different anatomically, however, the traps are similar to long cones that can become very high, anchor it well to protect it from the wind.

Links and useful references

The web provides a huge amount of resources to deepen the topic.

In Italy, the main reference point is the Italian Carnivorous Plants Association. On their site there are cultivation sheets, a forum to discuss with other users and ask for / provide advice and other useful information.

Another valuable resource is Wikiplants, a real online encyclopedia dedicated to carnivorous plants.

At an international level, we find ICPS, with a very good site in English.

In French, you can consult the Dionée association website.

There are also numerous Facebook groups in all languages where you can discuss the topic and admire the beautiful photos of the users’ plants.

Or you can watch the beautiful videos by Pigliamosche Advisor.

Soundtrack

As a soundtrack to this article I choose to play at home with “Transilvania Ska” by the Genoese Nimroad FC. Why?

First of all, carnivorous plants listen to ska-punk. At least, mine do, willingly or not. And then because in the collective imagination they are often associated with semi-serious horror scenarios, like the album, “Quarantotto”, from which this song is taken.

Elvira Cuomo

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