Time & temperature for fridge dormancy.

[Richard Hole]

Hello

Since sending my last email regarding putting Sarracenias and Venus Fly Traps in the fridge, I received some feedback on a carnivorous plant forum where a couple of people said
“Once growth resumes, the plant has decided dormancy is over. If you put them in the fridge now, it will not help, but could likely damage both the Sarracenias and VFTs. Missing a full winter's dormancy is not a big deal.”

In my question I said that some of my plants have some young shoots that would develop into pitchers. Some of my Venus Fly Traps have a lot of stunted growth and one produced a flower yesterday.

In reply to their answer above I just asked them the below.

One thing I also meant to mention is that some of my plants have scale insects and others are not looking very well and may be on the verge of dying and they contain no new growth. Perhaps putting these plants in the fridge could help.

On many of my other plants there is no new growth and on others there have not been any more young shoots than during the middle of winter so it would appear that those plants are still in dormancy and are not starting to get out of dormancy.

For these plants do you suggest putting them in the fridge for about a month?

Your help is appreciated
Regards Richard.