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