Carnivorous plants have one thing in common, the ability to dissolve and gain nourishment from captured prey. Carnivorous plants are a diverse group of plants and consist of nine families, 17 genera and over 500 species.
These plants have both active and passive traps to trap their prey and these come in many shapes and sizes.
Active traps ->
Some have spring traps as in Dionaea and Aldrovanda where sensitive trigger hairs, when touched, spring the trap into a semi-closed position trapping insects inside. Further stimulation by the trapped insect causes the trap to close even tighter. The surface glands of the lobes exude a liquid consisting of water and enzymes, the water helping to drown the victim and the enzymes break down the victims proteins.
Some have pitchers to catch their victims as in the Cephalotus. The rim and lid look very much like flesh to a flying insect above. An insect entering the pitcher and crawling over the rim is confronted with a slippery surface on which it is impossible to get a hold and curved teeth overhanging the entry to prevent any possible escape. When the insect tires and falls into the liquid in the pitcher it is then dissolved by digestive juices and bacteria exuded by the pitcher.
Passive traps ->
A good example of a passive genus is the Darlingtonia which does not move to capture its prey. A twisted tunnel somewhat like a maze of downward pointing hairs make capture very easy indeed. Once again a flying insect is attracted by the fleshy colour of the fangs and can sample some nectar that is exuded by glands. The victim moves inside to find more nectar and is unable to find its way out. Digestive enzymes and bacteria then dissolve the victim.
Cultivation ->
Most carnivorous plants can be grown in the climate range from sub-tropical to temperate. A good growing medium is a combination of peat moss, sphagnum moss, sand or vermiculite with the addition of scoria, leaf mould, charcoal and bark chips.
Carnivorous plants can absorb more than five times the amount of water than other indoor plants. For this reason only use rain water to avoid contaminants building up and so killing the plant. Water in shallow trays should be replenished in the mornings when the days warmth can add to the general humidity of the soil and the roots.
Light is also very important as light will affect the colour of the plants. Full sunlight will ensure full leaf colour. However, some plants require filtered light and some require full shade.
Growing from seed ->
Seeds grown in a tray should be sown onto damp peat moss and watered well. Spray with a fungicide and cover with a plastic bag. Filtered light and a temperature of about 25 degrees will ensure that seedlings will appear in about four weeks. When they reach about 2cm high they can be potted up. It is important to use sterile soil for growing seedlings.
Dormancy ->
During the winter months many carnivorous plants remain dormant. To maintain a temperature below 5 degrees, remove the rhizome from the soil, spray with a fungicide, remove all of the leaves and place in the refrigerator for three months. Repot the rhizome in peat moss as spring approaches, water with a fungicide and keep moist.
Propagation ->
There are a variety of methods of propagating carnivorous plants. Leaf and pitcher cuttings will produce a flowering plant in half the time that growing the same plant from seed would take.
Remove the leaf or pitcher as close as possible to the rhizome and dip the severed end into a rooting hormone. Place the cutting half way along the stem into a mixture of three parts peat to one part scoria. Place in position that will receive filtered light and good ventilation. Spray with a fungicide and repot in about 12 months time. Only water by overhead methods as water in a tray would cause rotting.
Rhizome cuttings are another popular method of propagation. Take
thick, healthy, burgundy rhizome cuttings about 10cm long. Dip into
a rooting medium and plant horizontally in a propagating tray at 2.5cm
depth in the soil. Water well and drench with a fungicide every month.
The best time to take cuttings of any type is at the beginning of summer.
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