Two Year Update on the Robust Venus Fly Trap B52 Variety

An Update on the Growth of the Venus Fly Trap B52 Variety

The Venus Fly Trap is one of the most popular and iconic carnivorous plants in the world. With its unique bug-catching leaves and snapping traps, it's easy to see why these quirky plants have captured the fascination of so many gardeners and plant enthusiasts. One particularly eye-catching variety is the Venus Fly Trap B52, known for its vibrant red coloration and vigorous growth habit.

In this article, we'll check in on the progress of a B52 Venus Fly Trap that is now two years old. These intriguing carnivores can live for over 20 years with proper care, and it's always exciting to watch them mature and reach new growth milestones. We'll cover tips for caring for a mature Venus Fly Trap, look at how the traps operate, and reveal why this variety remains a mainstay in many carnivorous plant collections.

Background on the Venus Fly Trap B52 Variety

The Venus Fly Trap B52 was first developed in the 1970s or 80s, when it appeared as a bold red-hued offspring from a crosses between different Dionaea muscipula clones. "B52" refers to the distinctive red coloration of the plant, which resembles the nose cone of the Boeing B-52 Stratofortress aircraft.

Like all Venus Fly Traps, the B52 is native to the coastal bogs and swamps of North and South Carolina in the United States. These challenging habitats have nutrient-poor acidic soils, which led the plants to evolve ingenious traps capable of catching and digesting insect prey to supplement their nitrogen intake.

The B52 variety exhibits the classic Venus Fly Trap growth form - a short stem from which several bug-catching leaves emerge. Each leaf has two lobes joined at the midrib, with fringed cilia around the edges and trigger hairs inside. The traps are lined with nectar glands to attract insects.

This variety is prized by collectors for its large traps, vigor, and brilliant color. The leaves have prominent red venation against olive-green, with full red color often developing on the lobes, traps, and stems as the plant matures. Let's look at how this impacts the two-year-old B52 specimen.

Growth and Color Development at Two Years Old

This B52 Venus Fly Trap is now developing into a robust, established plant. Over the past year, it has gone through periods of dormancy and active growth, increasing substantially in overall size.

There are now multiple divisions with several leaves each, extending from the main crown on short, thick flower stalks. The plant's growth habit has filled out the pot, necessitating periodic divisions or repotting to avoid becoming root-bound.

The coloration has also intensified as the plant matures. The stems and leaf lobes now display deep burgundy red hues for most of the year. This is especially noticeable when backlit or in bright sunlight, when the entire plant takes on a vivid red tone.

The traps themselves are a blend of olive green and red, with full, robust lobes. Traps regularly reach 1 inch in length as they snap shut on prey. This is larger than average for the species, highlighting the vigor of this variety.

Overall the B52 is putting on a great display of color and trap size at two years old. Let's go over some key tips for caring for your maturing Venus Flytrap.

Caring for Your B52 as it Matures

Venus Flytraps may be unconventional plants, but they have simple needs once established. Here are some pointers for looking after your B52 as it reaches adulthood:

• Light: Bright light is essential. At least 4 hours of direct outdoor sun per day is ideal. An indoor grow light also works well.
• Water: Use low mineral water such as distilled or rainwater. Keep the soil moist but avoid standing water.
• Temperature: The ideal range is 70-90 F during spring through fall. In winter, keep above 40 F.
• Dormancy: Venus Flytraps require a winter dormancy of 3-4 months with lower temperatures and reduced watering.
• Potting: Repot every 2-3 years in a low nutrient soil blend like peat and perlite.
• Feeding: Feed 1-2 live insects per trap every 1-2 weeks during the growing season.

Following these guidelines, along with propagating divisions and repotting when overgrown, will keep your B52 Venus Flytrap thriving for years to come.

How the Traps Catch and Digest Prey

It's always fascinating to observe the unique trapping and feeding mechanics of the Venus Flytrap. Here's a look at how the B52's ingenious traps operate:

The two red-veined lobes are covered with sensitive trigger hairs. When an insect crawls across these hairs, it triggers the lobes to snap shut in a fraction of a second. The trapped bug is unable to escape.

Glands inside the trap begin secreting digestive enzymes to dissolve the soft tissues of the insect into a broth the plant can absorb. This provides a welcome nitrogen boost for the nitrogen-starved plant.

After about a week of digestion, the trap reopens and resets, ready to catch another bug. A trap can go through this cycle up to 3 times before new growth is needed.

When setting a new leaf, the plant sheds the previously sealed traps. So mature plants like this 2-year-old B52 continuously renew their trapping capacity as new leaves are generated.

It's this elegant bug-catching cycle that makes Venus Flytraps such satisfying plants to grow. And the B52 takes it to another level with its large, vivid red traps.

Why The B52 Remains a Top Choice

When it comes to Venus Flytrap varieties, the B52 remains one of the top choices for growers and collectors. Here are some of the reasons it is so highly regarded:

• Vibrant red coloration - Much more intense than the typical green Dionaea, with color covering the traps, petioles, and leaf veins.
• Larger traps - The B52 regularly produces traps over 1 inch, larger than average for the species.
• Vigor - Strong, vital growth year round in the right conditions. Less prone to decline.
• Hardiness - Can tolerate wider temperature ranges and drier conditions than other varieties.
• Availability - One of the most common varieties, making it easier to find from vendors.

For these reasons, the B52 remains highly recommended as an excellent variety for beginners and experts alike. It delivers bold color and robust growth with relatively simple care.

Maturing Gracefully as a Carnivorous Classic

Our two-year-old B52 Venus Flytrap is clearly thriving and coming into its full coloration and form. It's exciting to see one of these carnivorous classics reach maturity while developing those vibrant, bug-catching traps.

With a basic routine of proper light, dormancy, water, feeding and potting, the B52 will continue maturing for years of enjoyment. Its large snapping traps will never get old!

If you're looking for a hardy, colorful conversation piece, be sure to consider adding a Venus Fly Trap B52 to your indoor or outdoor plant collection. Just keep an eye on your fingers around those big red traps!

FAQs

How big do the traps get on the B52 variety?

The B52 is known for having larger than average traps that can reach over 1 inch long once fully grown. The mature traps are robust and rounded compared to other Venus Fly Trap varieties.

What causes the red coloration?

The red color comes from anthocyanin pigments produced in the plant cells. More intense light exposure can boost production of these red pigments in the leaves and traps.

Is the B52 Venus Fly Trap hardy?

Yes, the B52 is known as one of the most vigorous and hardy Venus Fly Trap varieties. It can tolerate a wider range of temperatures and drier conditions compared to other types.

How often do the traps need to close to digest insects?

Each trap can go through the closing and digestion cycle approximately 3 times before that section of leaf dies back. New traps are continually generated as the plant grows.

Does the B52 require a winter dormancy period?

Yes, like all Venus Fly Traps, the B52 requires a 3-4 month winter dormancy with reduced watering and temperatures between 40-50°F for healthy growth.