FlytrapCare Carnivorous Plant Forums

Has anyone else noticed that when fly traps are sent bare rooted through the mail that the leaves seem to curl backwards as if they are trying to protect their roots?

As soon as you uproot them, they curl backward. I think curling back on themselves is just the way they grow.

I've had real difficulty potting them up when the leaves are curled back - the leaves want to push the plant back out of the soil. Next time I might try to put a cardboard or paper ring/tube around the rosette of leaves to hold them up out of the way while I get the roots in, then remove it after.

linton wrote:I've had real difficulty potting them up when the leaves are curled back - the leaves want to push the plant back out of the soil. Next time I might try to put a cardboard or paper ring/tube around the rosette of leaves to hold them up out of the way while I get the roots in, then remove it after.

That's a good idea! I'm going to try that the next time I repot a plant.

That is a good idea. I too struggle sometimes with repotting. Usually the first few plants that I repot are pretty messy, but then I get the hang of holding the leaves up with my fingers while the rhizome is exposed enough to set it down in the soil. A twisty tie or other instrument like you talk about linton could definitely make the process easier. That's a good idea.

Actually guys, it's a bloody BRILLIANT idea, lol.

I don't know why i didn't think of that when i first got started...you should have SEEN my 1st potting job! You would have thought i was growing sphagnum peat plants, lol.

aaron