If you want to care for very special plants, choose a fly-eating plant. Not only because each type looks interesting and has effective properties, but also because it gets rid of one or two flies, mosquitoes or other small insects. The fact that these plants catch their prey themselves is very effective. In addition, for some there is also the way (key point: “Venus fly trap”, which even snaps shut). But what does this mean for care? So you have tocarnivorous plantsfeed, like you usually do with fertilizer for other plants? We explain!
How do carnivorous plants work?
You are probably interested in what exactly is going on with this type of plant. How does a carnivorous plant work (Karnivoren) or rather, how is it digested?
The way the plants “hunt” differs from species to species. We all know the Venus flytrap’s trapping leaves, which are equipped with tactile bristles and cause the leaves to fold together through movement. But there are also other variants. Some are tubular and have a smooth interior so that an insect that falls in cannot climb out. Still other species form sweet droplets on their leaves to which the prey simply sticks.
How do carnivorous plants digest?
In any case, a plant that eats flies secretes a secretion that uses the enzymes it contains to decompose the prey it catches. Through this type of digestion, the plant extracts and absorbs the nutrients. In principle, this is no different than the decomposition of dead creatures and plants in the ground, where they are then absorbed by the roots of other plants, except that the carnivorous plant does all of this itself.
What nutrients does she need?
The nutrients that these types of plants need are no different from the others. For healthy growth, a carnivorous flower needs:
- Potassium
- Phosphor
- Nitrogen
They don't just get this through the air (living beings). For theproper care of eating plantsIn addition to the location and irrigation (only rainwater!), the substrate also plays an important role because they get the nutrients they need from it. Only carnivorous soil is used. All of this seems to sound quite demanding and complicated at first, but once you have ensured all of this, you will quickly realize that pitcher plants (Sarracenia), Venus flytrap (Dionaea muscipula), pitcher plant, also called funnel plant (Nepenthes), Sonnentau (Drosera) and Co. can be quite pleasant and easy-to-care roommates.
Interesting fact:Before the plant begins to decompose, it first checks whether the prey is really valuable and whether the effort of decomposing it is worth it. For this purpose it uses certain chemical processes.
Do you have to feed carnivorous plants?
So how do you care for carnivorous plants to provide them with enough nutrients? The answer is simply: not at all in this regard. Carnivores have a very low nutrient requirement, which is completely covered by the soil used for insectivorous plants. If an insect gets into it every now and then, that should be seen as a bonus that the plant would also be able to do without. The protein it contains only strengthens it further, as it allows it to better absorb other nutrients (such as nitrogen and phosphorus), which means it can grow better. Of course, you can also help out a little at larger intervals and add a small animal.
Feeding carnivorous plants: What do Venus flytraps and the like eat?
And what do carnivorous plants eat, so what types of insects? There aresmaller insects such as mosquitoes, flies, woodlice, spiders, fungus gnats, fruit flies and ants, which usually get into the plant. And if you ever feel the need to help with food, you should definitely stick to it. Under no circumstances should you use leftover food or dead animals when feeding carnivorous plants. But why shouldn't the insect be dead already?
The digestive enzymes described above after catching the prey only kick in if the plant has previously been stimulated by movement. The result is that the insect is not decomposed, but simply decays, which can harm the plant and, in an emergency, even kill it, as fungal diseases are encouraged.
So when providing food to carnivorous plants:
- To avoid over-fertilizing, do not overdo it with the amount and frequency.
- Never take leftover food.
- Only use insects that are also on your diet in nature.
- The insects should definitely still be alive, otherwise no digestive enzymes will be produced.
- The insect selected must be the correct size. If youfor example the Venus flytrapWhen feeding, the insect may not take up more than a third of the trapping leaf. So it's better to be smaller than too big.
