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When we think about predators, we immediately imagine a wolf, a lion or a shark. Hardly anyone will come to the head of the charming plant venus flytrap. Although it is considered the most popular among insectivorous representatives of the flora, and with it it would not hurt to get acquainted more closely.
For the first time the flower was noticed in the 60s of the 18th century and it was called a dionia, named after the ancient goddess. In Roman mythology, it was called Venus, so the flower is also called Venus Flytrap. There is an exotic flower in America, along the eastern shores of the United States. To date, the flower is listed in the list of endangered plants, therefore it is under the protection of American nature advocates. Despite this, the plant is bred in houses and apartments, as a result of which it is known in many parts of the globe.
Acquaintance with the charming predator
Venus flytrap refers to the species of insectivorous representatives of the plant world, the Rosian family. It grows up to 15 cm in height. Has bulbous stems. Snow-white buds are collected in the inflorescence, which appear on a long flowering shoot.
Since the predator plant grows in a natural environment on soil where there is not enough nitrogen, it needs a special feeding. Various insects, slugs and even mollusks make up for the lack of this element.
A kind of visiting card of the predatory plant Venus is the leaf flycatcher. It is interesting that on one specimen they are of different species, but each is very important for the favorable development of the flower. When spring comes from a short underground stalk, 4 or 7 leaves grow, which form a pretty rosette. Over time, it appears long shoots with white inflorescences. During the flowering period, the rosettes die out and dense sheet-like plates grow in their place. They are an excellent support for future traps.
The original "trap" for careless insects is formed on the tips of young rosette leaves. With the approach of summer, they become longer, being located vertically in the socket. The traps themselves consist of two plates, which are framed with sharp spikes. The inner part is covered with small hairs, which secrete nectar.
The insect flies to a pleasant fragrance and becomes a delicious treat of a carnivorous flower - a venus flytrap. A light touch on the sensitive bristles causes an immediate collapse of the trap. The valves are closed and the insect dies with time. Interestingly, within only 30 seconds, the plant determines the type of trapped victim. If it is a dry leaf, branch or water - the flaps open, and if small animals - it's time to start the meal.
The process of processing insects is delayed up to 5 days. Some are etched for a week or even 10 days. After the full saturation of the dionia - venus flytrap - opens its exotic "jaws waiting for a new victim.
The trap ceases to function if at least 3 digestion processes have occurred in it. Some flytraps can digest up to 7 insects in a row.
The exotic plant grows on the territory of Russia mainly on the windowsills in apartment houses, and sometimes it is found on the private plots. Within the main species, plants have some differences:
- coloring traps;
- direction relative to the outlet (vertically or horizontally);
- number of leaflets (two or three).
On the basis of these data, original flower varieties were harvested - the venus flytrap, the description of which helps them to imagine themselves.
Akai Riu
This type of dione is distinguished by red leaf plates and traps. The shade does not change depending on the light. Always remains saturated and juicy. On the outside of the cute trap, a thin, green line is visible.
Danteyt Trap
This plant grows no more than 10 cm, but it has more than a dozen miniature traps. They are located vertically to the leaf outlet. The outer side of the trap is decorated in a saturated green color, along which the red line runs. The interior is usually scarlet.
Fannel Trap
The originality lies in the fact that on one plant different types of traps are formed. When the "predator" is still young, all the elements of the plant are colored green. Only after a few years traps blush.
Jainte
Traits are characterized by traps up to 5 cm in length. They quickly formed on a predatory plant. First the leaves are painted in bright color, but eventually get a dark red color.
Dracula
The flower has juicy green leaf plates. Trap from the inside is red, outside - green. Outside, along the miniature thorns, there is an elegant red strip. A truly charming variety.
Crocodile
Dionia has horizontal leaves and traps, which are painted in bright green color. The inner region, in young specimens, is usually pink, but later acquires a reddish shade.
Triton
The variety is characterized by an unusual kind of traps. They are slightly elongated and open only on one side. Often they are arbitrarily stick together.
Rules of care for an unusual plant
To successfully grow a charming predator at home, you should create favorable conditions for it. To do this, you need to choose the right place. Undoubtedly, the best option is a window sill, since the plant needs sunlight at least 5 hours a day. If it is not enough, additional lighting should be arranged. Some flower-growers grow a "predator" in terrariums to create a suitable moisture. In this case, the backlight is required.
The window should face east or west. Otherwise, the plant can get sick.
With proper care at home, venus flycatcher is well established on the balcony in the summer. Thus it is necessary to control the temperature. In the summer, it can reach a maximum of 30 degrees Celsius, in winter it reaches only 7 ° C. If the plant is in the room, it should be regularly ventilated, but without drafts. The flycatcher does not like sudden movements and extreme situations.
Watering the dione is better with rainwater (it can be distilled). The natural liquid is collected in plastic dishes, defended, and then used for irrigation. The soil in the pot must always be moist. With its lack of traps can perish.
The best option is to fill the amount of moisture in the pot - place it in a container of water. The flower itself will absorb the necessary amount of moisture for active growth.
It is interesting that the plant does not need additional fertilizing with fertilizers. After all, it gets important elements, feeding on various insects. For the whole vegetation period, the plant is enough to feed two or three live flies, mosquitoes or small spiders. The fly catcher shown on the photo feels great after such a meal.
Recommendations for growing overseas plants
To grow dione at home, you need to follow simple guidelines. When spring comes, the plant blossoms with lush white inflorescences. They need to do the pollination manually, doing it neatly, but carefully. A month later, on the stalks are formed miniature boxes with planting material. After 90 days after pollination, flowers can be planted in pots.
If you know how to grow a flycatcher from a Venus tree, an exotic "predator" will appear in the house for the joy of the household. Sow them in a warm soil consisting of sand and moss sphagnum. The containers are placed in a special greenhouse. For 20 days it is advisable to ensure that the soil does not dry out. If the seeds of venus flytrap are planted densely, the seedlings will have to be planted. In each individual pot, 2-3 plants are placed. There they develop about 3 years before full maturation.
In order to make the family happy for a long time, it needs a regular rest period of about 3 months. The sleeping plant does not look very attractive. Some even think that it is dying. Wintering the venus flytrap begins with the cessation of plant growth. The leaves darken, becoming brown and eventually dry up. They should be cut off.
Usually the winter rest lasts from late autumn (November) to the end of February. All this time, the plant is watered moderately, not allowing the substrate to dry out. It also needs daylight, although in less quantity. The temperature in the room where the flytrapper hibernates should not be more than 8 degrees. When winter ends and the days become longer, the plant comes to life. There are gentle shoots that will grow only in late spring. And in the house again there will be a charming predatory plant - venus flytrap.
