In September of last year, I "saved" a whole case of terrible
looking VFTs from the trash bin at a local Payless Drug Store. (They
were trying to clear out all their plants to make room for Christmas
trees.) Any way, the VFTs looked horrible - half black and very small. I
gave the manager $10 for the whole box (@20) and took them home, hoping
to save a few.
After removing all the dead, black leaves (and for some it was
most of the plant!)I left them alone and kept them watered by the tray
method. Since they were so far gone, I didn't pull back the water at all
as winter came, but just kept them outside (lowest temps in the low
40's). I repeat -- they got plenty of water (distilled). I also sprayed
them every two weeks with a very diluted mixture of water & Super
Thrive.
In Feb., I began to see some new growth, so I re-potted them in
a peat/sand/perlite mixture and larger pots.
Right now, the temp at night still gets down to the low 40's
occasionally and you should see these plants -- they are HUGE! If I had
not seen them for myself, I would nor believe that they were the same
plants that I "salvaged." The numerous leaves are long, erect and
strong (very red inside)and the traps are, in some cases, over an inch
long.
I have had to fight them tooth & leaf to keep them from
flowering (one even put up a fascinating multiple-stalked flower stalk).
In short, I did not withdraw anything from them and they are
incredible!
Other VFT, that I have had for a little longer (and were much
better shape to begin with) are doing as well -- I did pull back some of
the water for them.
Well, so much for my book -- but it is truly exciting to see
these "once dead" plants return to life!
Good Growing .... Ken