Dionaea muscipula 'Chest Hair' – Venus Flytrap

Dionaea muscipula ‘Chest Hair’ is an uncommon Venus Flytrap clone that is rarely seen in cultivation. Reliable information about its origin and defining characteristics is limited, so we are continuing to observe its growth and seasonal development within our collection.

Clone Characteristics

• Trap form: Produces functional insect-catching traps whose size and form vary with maturity, season and growing conditions.
• Colour: Foliage and trap colour vary according to light levels, temperature and the season.
• Growth habit: Forms a compact rosette that becomes larger and more established over successive growing seasons.
• Distinctive features: The characteristics separating this clone from other Venus Flytraps are still being evaluated. We have avoided assigning features that have not yet been consistently observed.

Seasonal Appearance

Venus Flytraps change considerably throughout the year. During active growth, ‘Chest Hair’ produces fresh leaves and larger functional traps. During winter dormancy, growth becomes more compact and the plant may have smaller traps, fewer active leaves and some blackening of older growth.

This seasonal dieback is normal. The living plant remains below and around the growing point and resumes stronger growth as conditions warm in spring. The plant supplied may therefore look different from the photographs depending on the time of year.

Care

• Light: Grow outdoors in a sunny position. Strong light supports compact growth, healthy trap development and stronger colour.
• Water: Use rainwater, distilled water or reverse osmosis water. Do not use ordinary tap water unless it is known to contain very low levels of dissolved minerals.
• Watering method: During active growth, stand the pot in a shallow tray of suitable water and do not allow the growing medium to dry out. Reduce the water level during winter dormancy, but keep the medium damp.
• Growing medium: Use a nutrient-poor carnivorous plant mix, such as sphagnum peat combined with perlite or silica sand. Do not use ordinary potting mix.
• Feeding: Plants grown outdoors will normally catch enough insects without assistance. Do not apply standard plant fertilisers or repeatedly trigger the traps.
• Dormancy: Venus Flytraps are temperate plants with a natural winter resting period. Protect potted plants from severe or prolonged freezing conditions.

What You Will Receive

You will receive one established plant growing in a 70mm pot. Images are representative of the ‘Chest Hair’ clone currently offered. Individual plants will vary in size, trap number, colour and seasonal appearance.

As this clone is not widely documented, continued observation may provide more information about its distinctive characteristics over time.