Re: VFT leaf cuttings...

Mellard, David (dam7@ATSDHA1.EM.CDC.GOV)
Wed, 14 Aug 96 16:02:00 EST

Hi Dave,

Ah, the world of cp husbandry is full of contradictions. See my e-mail
about a friend who misted his VFTs and got wonderful results. Did you soak
the soil with fertilizer? Maybe that accounts for the problems you had.
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To: Multiple recipients of list

> From: Gary <garko@SFSU.EDU>
> I'm attempting to propagate VFTs via leaf cuttings, but I have a question
> about the seedling plants. What do I feed them? I've noticed my seedling
> Drosera rotundifolia capturing minute book lice-like prey, but can't
> imagine any of these insects tripping the trigger hairs on VFTs.

Oh, but they will! Even the first traps it grows will be able to
catch some food. It's the same for Sarracenia too.

> Will the
> VFTs be okay "unfed" until they reach a size where they can trap midges
> and fungus gnats for themselves, or should I feed them diluted liquid
> plant food?

No! I've killed my share of VFT seedling this way. While you
can fertilize Sarracenia and Nepenthes, Do NOT feed VFT's.
VFT seems to be more picky about it's soil than most CP.

Dave Evans