Upkeep for Carnivorous Plant
The information below is intended to help you learn about and care for your carnivorous plant. Looking for a specific plant? Try here!
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to email Ian at hvcarnivores@gmail.com.
We also recommend The Savage Garden by Peter D’Amato as an essential resource.
WATER:
All carnivorous plants require very pure water with few dissolved salts. Reverse-osmosis, deionized, distilled, and rain waters are best. The water vending machine at your local grocery store is a good option. PUR and Brita filters are NOT adequate. “Zero Water” brand filters are excellent. Water below 50 ppm of total dissolved solids is acceptable. Luckily, Bellingham’s tap water is usually around 36-45 ppm. If you have any doubt about your water, buy a TDS meter!
FERTILIZER:
Nope. Don’t need it. They truly feed themselves if grown outdoors. In certain instances, Nepenthes will benefit from a 1⁄4 strength orchid fertilizer applied once a month during the winter. Pitcher plants, Sundews and Flytraps can benefit from a treatment of MaxSea 16-16-16 at a 1⁄4 tsp./gal. A light foliar spray, once a month, can boost growth for the plant confined to the greenhouse or window sill.
SOIL & TRANSPLANTING:
All carnivores require poor, nutrient deficient soil. NO MIRACLE-GRO POTTING SOIL. I recommend a 2:1 mix of peat moss and perlite, for Sarracenia, Drosera, and Dionaea (VFT). For Nepenthes, you can do a 1:3 peat to perlite mix, or long-fibered sphagnum and perlite. Be aware that Miracle-Gro brand peat moss and perlite typically has fertilizer added to it. Don’t use that stuff. I do not recommend coco coir. It breaks down too fast and is salty. It can kill your plants!