| Every year, I receive many phone calls from | | | | or because the trap had come to the end of its |
| parents wanting to purchase Venus | | | | life cycle?Select a Different Plant |
| Flytraps for their kids' science project. I ask | | | | For these reasons, I often persuade parents to |
| them what type of experiment that they | | | | select a different plant. The ideal |
| are doing, and usually it is about what type of | | | | plant is one that also moves, like the Venus |
| food source will keep the traps | | | | Flytrap, but is also actively growing |
| closed. I patiently listen to what they have to | | | | throughout the school year.The plant? The Cape |
| say, and then I share with them three | | | | Sundew (Drosera capensis).The Cape Sundew is |
| reasons why Venus Flytraps make lousy test | | | | native to South Africa and is considered a tropical |
| subjects:1. Venus Flytraps are usually dormant | | | | plant. It does |
| when school is in session. | | | | not require any dormancy and will grow |
| The school year goes from September through | | | | beautifully throughout the year. They are |
| June. Venus Flytraps are often | | | | also readily available by most nurseries that |
| dormant from November through April. During | | | | specializes in carnivorous plants.Like Venus |
| dormancy, Flytraps stop growing | | | | Flytraps, Cape Sundews have leaves that close |
| and their traps stop working.For any science | | | | around an insect. It does |
| projects to work, your young budding scientists | | | | so very slowly, however, taking about 15 |
| will need to use | | | | minutes to witness this amazing behavior.Just |
| plants that are actively growing. That means the | | | | make sure that your plant has been grown in |
| best time to do any science project | | | | very bright lights and has lots of |
| on Venus Flytraps is during June through | | | | dew on it. If not, your experiment may not |
| September. Not many young budding | | | | work properly.So, if your kids want a Venus |
| scientists are willing to do science projects during | | | | Flytrap for a science project, use a Cape Sundew |
| the summer when there are many | | | | |
| trees to climb and ponds to swim in.2. Traps on | | | | instead. But, still get them a Venus Flytrap. |
| a Venus Flytrap will open and close about half a | | | | Growing it can be a part of their |
| dozen times. After | | | | summertime activities.Jacob Farin and Jeff Dallas |
| that, they stop working. | | | | are owners of Sarracenia Northwest, a nursery |
| Now, how many kids (and adults) out there are | | | | specializing in the cultivation of carnivorous plants. |
| disciplined enough to not poke a | | | | They are also authors of |
| Flytrap and to leave it alone? If a trap does not | | | | Secrets to Growing Beautiful Carnivorous Plants |
| close properly, would it be because | | | | for Your Home and Garden, the |
| of the testing stimulus or because the trap was | | | | most informative carnivorous plant guide ever |
| poked and poked and poked and | | | | written. Together, Jacob and Jeff |
| poked and simply stopped working?3. Traps will | | | | teach first-time growers how to grow Venus |
| live for about 2 months, then it stops working and | | | | Flytraps, pitcher plants and sundews |
| slowly turns | | | | without a fancy greenhouse or goofy terrarium. |
| black, regardless if it had been triggered or not. | | | | Over 22 years of secrets are |
| Again, if a trap does not close properly, would it | | | | revealed! |
| be because of the testing stimulus | | | | |