We’ve likely all had some run-in with a carnivorous plant. I brought one of those little Venus flytraps home from the hardware store, even though I had no idea how to care for it. Maybe you have marveled at the wide array of these plants at your local botanical garden. Or maybe you just know the man-eating Audrey II from Little Shop of Horrors! However you found them, you have probably figured out that these plants are in a league of their own. Proper carnivorous plant care is incredibly specific. They are a whole subsect of plants, and they might just get you if you do not care for them correctly. So I invited Damon from California Carnivores to help. He is a carnivorous plant expert (learned from Peter D'Amato) and is going to teach us everything we need to know to grow them indoors! Let's jump in!
In this episode, we learn:
- [02:35] Damon’s history with carnivorous plants
- [07:28] What are carnivorous plants? What makes up a carnivorous plant?
- [13:25] Where to find carnivorous plants in the wild
- [16:33] Why conservation of carnivorous plants is a must
- [19:01] How long have carnivorous plants been around?
- [20:09] Damon shares what he thinks of Little Shop of Horrors musical
- [22:07] General care rules for growing carnivorous plants indoors
- [23:00] The right kind of water for carnivorous plants (and how to identify them in a store!)
- [25:23] How the “tray method” replicates a bog environment at home
- [27:39] The best carnivorous plants to grow indoors (Venus flytrap, pitcher plants, butterworts)
- [31:06] What is the best growing media for carnivorous plants?
- [33:43] Why you shouldn’t use terracotta pots for your carnivorous plants
- [35:00] What’s the ideal sunlight for carnivorous plants (+ grow lights!)
- [37:04] Should you fertilize carnivorous plants?
- [39:31] How to feed your Venus flytrap and Cape sundews
- [41:54] Fertilizing your pitcher plants!
- [44:14 How much humidity do carnivorous plants need?
- [45:22] How to make your Venus flytrap go dormant
- [46:39] Can you fertilize your carnivorous plants even if they’re catching bugs?
- [47:15] Can you overwater sundews and butterworts?
- [48:11] Taking care of your Mexican butterworts
- [49:36] Damon’s recommended beginner carnivorous plants
- [51:03] Should you still buy Venus flytraps even when they’re not sustainably sourced?
- [53:46] Where to find Damon, his book ‘The Savage Garden,’ and nursery resources!
Mentioned in our conversation:
For Damon's detailed carnivorous plants care guide,
check out the full show notes and blog here!
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