5 carnivorous plants to grow at home

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Dewdrop, flycatcher and other predators will decorate the interior and rid you of insects.

1. Venus flytrap

This predatory plant hunts using special bivalve traps that are located at the tips of the leaves. While it is waiting for prey, the doors are slightly open. But as soon as the insect crawls inside and disturb a few sensitive hairs on the surface, the "cage" instantly slams shut. This happens in a split second.

After that, the predatory plant secretes special enzymes to get all the nutrients from the victim. It takes several days for an insect to digest, and sometimes more than a week - it all depends on its size. Then the trap is opened again to continue hunting.

In order for the Venus flytrap to grow well, it needs diffused light. Shade and direct sunlight are contraindicated for this plant. Keep the flycatcher at home away from batteries at a temperature of 10 ° C in winter and 22-25 ° C in summer.

Watering should be done regularly through the pallet. The soil should remain slightly moist at all times. It is advisable to use distilled water. The plant feels good at high humidity - at least 70%. But it is better not to spray it, but to put it on a bowl with wet expanded clay or sphagnum.

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2. Zhiryanka

This plant has a simple hunting device: its fleshy leaves are covered with a special slimy and sticky secretion. Insects stick to it. When the victim is caught, the fatty milk releases additional enzymes to digest it. And if the insect is large and resists, the leaves of the plant curl smoothly, preventing it from getting out. Zhiryanka copes with small prey this way.

For normal growth, the plant needs a temperature of 25-28 ° C in the warm season and 15-18 ° C in the winter months. Zhiryanka feels comfortable in diffused lighting and in partial shade. And it must be protected from direct sunlight.

Air humidity must be at least 50%. You need to water the plant regularly - with distilled water through the pan. The ground should remain moist, but not like a swamp. Spraying is not required: it can damage the leaves.

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3. Nepentes

Nepentes traps are quite large - up to several tens of centimeters in length. Although there are more miniature ones. They are shaped like jugs that are attached to the tips of the leaves. Each of them has a raised lid - this is a "landing strip" for insect prey. And in nature, they also protect the plant from rainwater.

Insects are attracted by the smell that nepentes gives off. They crawl inside, but they cannot get out back along the smooth walls. The liquid that the "jug" contains acts as gastric juice and ensures the digestion of the victim.

Nepentes grows well in bright, diffused light, but not in direct sunlight. A comfortable temperature for a plant in summer and spring is 22–25 ° С, and in winter and autumn about 17–20 ° С. Moreover, it should not fall below 16 ° C.

High air humidity is especially important for this predator - not less than 75–80%. Without it, "jugs" do not develop or dry out. Therefore, nepentes are often grown in florariums. To maintain moisture, for example, moistened sphagnum, frequent spraying or humidifiers are used.

Watering should be plentiful in summer and more moderate in winter, through a sump. The potted substrate must be kept moist at all times. It is better to use distilled water.

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4. Dewdrop

This carnivorous plant attracts insects with its appearance. The upper side and edges of its leaves are covered with outgrowths with droplets of a sticky liquid, similar to dew (hence the name). When the victim is caught, the sheet begins to slowly curl. After that, it digests the insect in 2-3 days and unfolds again.

The sundew needs a bright, diffused light. And it is better to protect it from direct sunlight, otherwise burns will appear on the leaves. Summer temperature for tropical species is 22-30 ° С, in winter - about 16 ° С. For European plants it is 20–24 ° C in summer and about 12 ° C in winter.

Watering should be regular, using distilled water - the soil should not dry out. Air humidity must be high - from 70%. To provide it, you can put containers with water or wet sphagnum next to the plant, and also use a humidifier. Do not spray the sundew.

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5. Sarracenia

This carnivorous plant is similar to nepentes in the way of hunting. Its large leaves, "jugs", are directed upwards, and the lid either does not cover them at all, or does it partially. The traps are bright enough to interest the insects.

The prey is also attracted by the aromatic sweet juice secreted by special glands. Victims who fall inside the trap easily slide to the very bottom, but they cannot get out. After that, the digestion process begins.

The lighting of the sarracenia must be bright - partial shade and especially the shadow are not suitable for this predatory plant. The temperature in spring and summer should be at least 22 ° C, and in winter, coolness is needed - about 10 ° C.

Watering should be regular to keep the soil moist at all times. In spring and summer, you need to make sure that there is always a little water in the pan. Moreover, it is desirable to use distilled. The plant needs moderate air humidity, so there is no need for spraying.

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