Fascinating Flytraps Sprouting and Care Instructions

Growing and Care Information
-Place compressed germination disk inside the colored base of the terrarium and slowly add 1 cup of DISTILLED water.  The germination disk will absorb the water and expand into your growing medium.  USE ONLY DISTILLED WATER.
-Use a plastic spoon to aerate and mix the soil up.  Add up to another ¼ cup of DISTILLED WATER if necessary to create moist sol.
-Gently push down the growing medium and smooth. The growing medium should be well moistened but there should not be any pockets of standing water.
-Sprinkle the seeds onto your growing medium as desired.  Seeds are tiny, you may want to pour on to a creased piece of paper. Gently push them into and cover with the medium. Then mist the top gently with DISTILLED WATER.
-Put the top on your planted greenhouse and place it in bright, indirect light where it will not be easily knocked over.
-The seeds will sprout in six weeks to three months.
-Keep top of container on and be sure to keep soil moist and ONLY USE DISTILLED WATER.
-When plants die back, you will need to give them a cold period. Cut back and put in refrigerator for 6-8 weeks. Keep soil barely moist during that time.  Then remove and keep moist with DISTILLED WATER.
-Never feed your plants raw meat.  When the traps get larger, you can feed them tiny amounts of cooked meat.

Note
The Compressed Peat Disk does NOT contain any supplemental nutrients.  Carnivorous plants eat meat because the peat in their natural habitat lacks any minerals, salts, or nutrients.  Fertilizing your plants at all will harm them.  DO NOT FERTILIZE.  ONLY WATER WITH DISTILLED WATER.

These plants developed this ability to cope with the nutrient poor environment they are native too.  As a result of this, it is important to only water them with distilled water and to not apply fertilizer to them. Flytraps are perennials that can live for decades and their traps increase in size each year, when they return after a rather brief cold period.

Fascinating Flytraps FAQ
How long will my Flytraps take to sprout?
Flytraps can take six weeks to three months to sprout.

Why do I have to use rainwater or distilled water to water my Flytraps? 
Flytraps require distilled water to thrive due to their unique nutritional needs and sensitivity to minerals. The minerals found in ordinary tap water, bottled water, well water, purified and spring waters are harmful to your carnivorous plants. These minerals are typically not found in the peat bogs they naturally grow in and instead are obtained through insects they capture. You can collect fresh rainwater and use that on your Flytraps if you choose to. Use Only Distilled water or collected rainwater.  Do not use bottled, tap, spring, well, or salt water.

How often do I have to water my Flytraps?
Be sure to only use distilled water or collected rainwater. Flytraps like to be kept moist, so be sure to keep the soil consistently moist, but not waterlogged. Water with distilled water whenever the top layer of soil begins to dry out.

When will my Flytraps eat bugs?
Your Flytraps will not need to eat flies until they are two or three years old. When they are mature, you can remove the lid and thoroughly saturate soil with distilled water, then place in a cool, shady area. The plants will attract little gnats and other small bugs with a sweet scent they emit to catch insects. 

Can I feed meat to my Flytraps?
Flytraps obtain essential nutrients by capturing and digesting insects. While they can thrive on insects, meat is not recommended. Carnivorous plants are made to digest insects specifically, therefore feeding your plant meat could inhibit digestion and harm the plant.

How Long do Flytraps live?
Flytraps can live 20 years with proper care.

Why are individual Flytrap leaves turning black?
It usually means your trap has died when its leaves turn black. It is normal for old traps to die and new traps to grow. A trap can only close a certain number of times before it dies, so be careful not to purposefully trigger your Flytrap to close its trap. A Flytraps leave’s turning black could also indicate overwatering, most times caused by poor drainage. If you encounter a black trap, remove it from the plant and ensure your Flytrap is getting adequate sunlight and proper watering.

Why is my Flytrap dying?
If you notice your whole plant dying, it likely needs a cold period. Trim your plant down and put it in your refrigerator for 6-8 weeks, adding a very small amount of water to your Flytrap every 3 weeks. After the cold period in the refrigerator, water your Flytrap thoroughly with distilled water and place your Seed Square in a warm, well-lit area.

How do I use the lid as a pedestal?
If you decide you would like for your Flytraps to grow faster once they have sprouted, you can remove the top and use it as a pedestal for your Seed Square. To use the lid as a pedestal, remove the lid from the planter and place it on a steady surface with the holes at the top. Then, simply place your planter on top of the lid. You will feel the planter fit into place over the top of the pedestal. Once you remove the top, your Flytraps will need to be watered weekly. You want the soil to stay moist but not saturated.

Please email us at service@uniquegardener.com if you have any questions or experience any issues with this item.  Please email us directly and do not contact the reseller you purchased this from.