COMMING NOVEMBER 2024

1-3 Plants in a Tissue Culture Cup
Botanical Name:
Dionaea muscipula 'Chest Hair'

Visual Description:
The Venus Fly Trap Dionaea muscipula 'Chest Hair' is an extraordinary variety recognized for its unusually long and dense cilia, which resemble thick, chest-like hairs on its traps. The traps themselves are a vibrant green, often displaying a blush of red inside, providing a striking contrast to the characteristic "hairy" edges. This unique trait gives the plant a wild, untamed look, setting it apart from other varieties. In its tissue culture stage, 'Chest Hair' develops compact traps that already showcase its distinctive cilia, making it an interesting and rare addition to any carnivorous plant collection.

Key Features:

• Long, Hairy Cilia: The most distinguishing feature of 'Chest Hair' is its long and dense trap cilia, which gives it an appearance unlike any other Venus Fly Trap. The "hairy" look adds a quirky yet functional element to its trap structure.
• Carnivorous Adaptation: Like all Venus Fly Traps, 'Chest Hair' captures and digests insects by snapping its traps shut when trigger hairs are stimulated, allowing it to thrive in nutrient-poor environments by absorbing nutrients from its prey.
• Vibrant Green Traps with Red Interiors: The vivid green exterior of the traps, often tinged with red, creates a dramatic visual contrast against the long cilia, making 'Chest Hair' a standout in any carnivorous plant display.

Growing Conditions:

• Light: Requires full sun to maintain its vibrant coloration and healthy trap growth. At least 6 hours of direct sunlight is essential for developing its deep red trap interiors and supporting overall health.
• Water: Use only rainwater, distilled water, or reverse osmosis water to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. Avoid using tap water, as the minerals can damage the plant.
• Temperature: Thrives in temperatures between 15-30°C. A winter dormancy period with cooler temperatures around 5-10°C is required for long-term health.
• Humidity: Prefers moderate to high humidity levels (50-70%), though it can adapt to slightly lower humidity once established.

Tissue Culture Care and Hardening:

After receiving your Dionaea muscipula 'Chest Hair' in its tissue culture cup, follow these steps to ensure a successful transition to regular growing conditions:

• Gradual Humidity Reduction: Place the plant in a covered container or terrarium to maintain high humidity. Over the next 1-2 weeks, slowly increase ventilation by opening the container more each day, allowing the plant to adapt to normal room humidity.
• Shaded Placement: Begin by placing the plant in a shaded area with indirect light to prevent shock. Gradually increase exposure to direct sunlight over time as the plant acclimates.
• Maintain Moisture: Keep the substrate consistently moist, using rainwater or distilled water. Avoid letting the plant dry out, but ensure the soil is not waterlogged.
• Stable Temperature: Keep the plant at a stable temperature of 20-25°C during the hardening process. Sudden temperature changes could stress the plant and hinder its acclimation.
• Monitoring: Watch for signs of stress such as browning or wilting traps, and adjust humidity, light, and water as needed to ensure a healthy transition.

Once the plant has hardened, your Venus Fly Trap 'Chest Hair' will be ready for its permanent growing environment. With its uniquely hairy traps and efficient insect-catching capabilities, 'Chest Hair' is sure to be a conversation piece in any carnivorous plant collection.