FlytrapCare Carnivorous Plant Forums

Hello everyone, this is my first time experiencing my plants coming out of dormancy and I'm wondering just that. When should I feed them? I'd think trying to feed them as soon as I notice them waking up might make them expend too much energy at once. But maybe I am wrong

Flytraps don't need to eat as long as they have good, direct sunlight. However, put them outside and they'll catch their own prey when they're ready.

ChefDean wrote:Flytraps don't need to eat as long as they have good, direct sunlight. However, put them outside and they'll catch their own prey when they're ready.

Flytraps don't need food whatsoever? So feeding them just boosts growth?

Think of a bug as a small packet of fertilizer. Its fine for a healthy thriving plant but very bad for one with issues. I keep my plants outside in full sun and do not feed.

Yes, mine are outside too so I probably need not worry about it, but now I'm interested in the claim that vfts do not need to eat, when they grow in nutrient deficient medium Could one grow a vft to adulthood without it ever catching and digesting food?

yeah they are plants and use photosynthesis to make energy. Some of the odd ball fly traps cant catch bugs at all. I am sure no food at all will mean slower growth.

In a nut shell a VFT's feeding cycle takes a lot of energy and if its unhealthy and/or energy starved from bad lighting its a downward spiral. Same thing with its flowering cycle.

^^^^This.
All a plant needs is water and sufficient light. Each species of plants light requirement is different, but all plants make their own food through photosynthesis. Them being in a nutrient poor media and low mineral water has prompted their evolution to need more and direct sunlight to maximize photosynthesis.

Bonez wrote: ↑Thu Apr 27, 2023 4:38 pm Yes, mine are outside too so I probably need not worry about it, but now I'm interested in the claim that vfts do not need to eat, when they grow in nutrient deficient medium Could one grow a vft to adulthood without it ever catching and digesting food?

If you grow them properly outdoors there is no need to feed them at all. No need to "boost" them either.