Dionées at the end of winter

Winter isn’t over yet, especially in north-eastern France! But we can start to take stock of how our outdoor carnivorous plants are faring. We know that Sarracenias are very hardy (see here and here), but what about Venus flytraps?

They don’t look very pretty, but that’s perfectly normal for this time of year: the leaves are pale and the traps are closed. Despite the successive cold spells (nearly -20°C in December!), they haven’t withered away. If you live in a cold region, to give yourself the best chance of success, you should follow these few recommendations:

• Use a generous amount of potting mix
• Place the plants out of the way of rainfall, so that the pot doesn’t get trapped in the ice
• Wrap the pot in bubble wrap, which provides excellent insulation, until the plants are partially covered

March, and even April, depending on your region, can hold surprises. Don’t be fooled by the current mild weather and be ready to protect your plants