FlytrapCare Carnivorous Plant Forums

I’m hoping this forum is still active. I’m Jolene and I just started with my first 3 plants. I swear I think I’ve read and researched almost every website about fly traps and closed terrariums. I don’t have any direct sunlight, so I have them under an led grow light. They are only 5 days in their new home, but I’m wondering if the light is too close and will sunburn them. Does anyone have any ideas on what to look for if they do?

Welcome! Normally terrariums aren't recommended for flytraps but, with effort, they can be made to work. The main thing to remember is that flytraps aren't tropical plants - they're native to North Carolina. While it may be warmer in NC than where you are, VFTs still expect seasons.

Welcome. Got my first trap last summer and found this forum site. Very helpful, knowledgeable, friendly and giving people here.

Yes these forums are active.

Welcome

Hi! Welcome to the forum!!

I totally didn’t think to show pictures. They were only planted 5 days ago. I got them from one of my local nurseries.

Love the decor.

Just my thoughts.
Terrariums are almost always a death sentence for flytraps, especially for new growers. Outside, even in indirect sunlight, is typically better than virtually any indoor setup for flytraps.
The lack of drainage in your fishbowl will eventually become an issue as well.
Last, the rocks you're using for decorations will likely eventually leach minerals into the media, which will be detrimental to the plant.
If you can pot these up and put them outside, I think they'll do much better in the long run. Or, them being your first foray into carnivorous plants, they'll probably die no matter what you do. That's what happens with most growers, they inadvertently kill their first plants, me included.

]I live in Albuquerque, New Mexico so I can’t put them outside. The heat would dry them out way too fast. My apartment only gets about 2 hours of direct sunlight, so I have a simple grow light. The bowl has a lava rock drainage layer with a substrate barrier between the rocks and the soil so as to not let it get too soggy. I will take out the rocks. One of my cats tries to eat anything in pots, even with the fear of the dreaded spray bottle. They have shown zero interest in this. Watch, now I’ve jinxed myself, . I’d love to have a pitcher plant too, but I’m in the process of saving up for some kind of book shelf/cabinet to keep the humidity up, an indoor greenhouse of sorts. I hope this gives a better understanding of my set up. Thank you for the tips.

jolenelindsey78 wrote:I live in Albuquerque, New Mexico so I can’t put them outside. The heat would dry them out way too fast.

If you have a shaded area outside and a spray bottle full of water, you would probably be fine as long as the temperature doesn't exceed ~100 degrees. Don't switch it inside and outside to often, that can kill the plant. The Sunlight and Heat section is good for your problem, and if you can't keep it outside you can use Terrarium and Artificial Lighting Section https://www.flytrapcare.com/comprehensi ... formation/