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Three Reasons Why Venus Flytraps Make Lousy Science Fair Projects

Every year, I receive many phone callsPlant
from parents wanting to purchase VenusFor these reasons, I often persuade
Flytraps for their kids' scienceparents to select a different plant. The
project. I ask them what type ofideal
experiment that theyplant is one that also moves, like the
are doing, and usually it is about whatVenus Flytrap, but is also actively
type of food source will keep the trapsgrowing
closed. I patiently listen to what theythroughout the school year.The plant?
have to say, and then I share with themThe Cape Sundew (Drosera capensis).The
threeCape Sundew is native to South Africa
reasons why Venus Flytraps make lousyand is considered a tropical plant. It
test subjects:1. Venus Flytraps aredoes
usually dormant when school is innot require any dormancy and will grow
session.beautifully throughout the year. They
The school year goes from Septemberare
through June. Venus Flytraps are oftenalso readily available by most
dormant from November through April.nurseries that specializes in
During dormancy, Flytraps stop growingcarnivorous plants.Like Venus Flytraps,
and their traps stop working.For anyCape Sundews have leaves that close
science projects to work, your youngaround an insect. It does
budding scientists will need to useso very slowly, however, taking about
plants that are actively growing. That15 minutes to witness this amazing
means the best time to do any sciencebehavior.Just make sure that your plant
projecthas been grown in very bright lights and
on Venus Flytraps is during Junehas lots of
through September. Not many youngdew on it. If not, your experiment may
buddingnot work properly.So, if your kids want
scientists are willing to do sciencea Venus Flytrap for a science project,
projects during the summer when thereuse a Cape Sundew
are manyinstead. But, still get them a Venus
trees to climb and ponds to swim in.2.Flytrap. Growing it can be a part of
Traps on a Venus Flytrap will open andtheir
close about half a dozen times. Aftersummertime activities.Jacob Farin and
that, they stop working.Jeff Dallas are owners of Sarracenia
Now, how many kids (and adults) outNorthwest, a nursery
there are disciplined enough to not pokespecializing in the cultivation of
acarnivorous plants. They are also
Flytrap and to leave it alone? If aauthors of
trap does not close properly, would itSecrets to Growing Beautiful
be becauseCarnivorous Plants for Your Home and
of the testing stimulus or because theGarden, the
trap was poked and poked and poked andmost informative carnivorous plant
poked and simply stopped working?3.guide ever written. Together, Jacob and
Traps will live for about 2 months, thenJeff
it stops working and slowly turnsteach first-time growers how to grow
black, regardless if it had beenVenus Flytraps, pitcher plants and
triggered or not.sundews
Again, if a trap does not closewithout a fancy greenhouse or goofy
properly, would it be because of theterrarium. Over 22 years of secrets are
testing stimulus
or because the trap had come to the endrevealed!
of its life cycle?Select a Different



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