VFT Lifecycle

[tzestan]

It is not easy to find information of complete VFT lifecycle in cultivation. There are fragmented postings of the the plant in various phases. I am starting to grow from seeds. This is a good place to document the development. Also to serve as a reference growing the plant till mature plants are obtained.

Phase 1: Germination
================
Temperature: 29 Celsius, day-night difference about 3 Celsius
Light: Direct sunlight 3.30-5.30pm, indirect sunlight the other time
Water: Rain
Relative humidity: 60-90%
Soil: Dried long fibered sphagnum moss (LFS)
No cold stratification. Seeds are put within 5mm from top of LFS.

The setup is shown here.


Germination stages:
Day 16


Day 23


Day 30


Seeds germinated: 46% (11 out of 24)
2 seeds wilted before putting up trap leaves. No obvious reason, likely to be weaker plants.

I believe all viable seeds have germinated. Some statistical analysis here,
Mean: 14.55 days
Standard deviation: 2.73 days

With the information, graphs based on normal distribution can be plotted.

Figure 1: Germination on a particular day after sowing.

Example interpretation:
4% of viable seeds germinate on day 10.
15% of viable seeds germinate on day 14.

Figure 2: Cumulative germination on a particular day after sowing.

Example interpretation:
By day 17, 80% of viable seeds should have germinated.
By day 20, 98% of viable seeds should have germinated.
Viable seed estimation: If 20 seeds are sown, and 10 seeds germinated by day 17, you may predict total viable seeds 10 / 80% = 13 seeds. The remaining seeds are likely not viable.

The graphs are constructed based on small sample I have. Regardless, it should give a rough idea on germination rate and duration.

Phase 2: Growing
=============
As the seedlings start to put out trap leaves, they are now in growing phase.

Conditions remain the same as germination, except the direct sunlight duration has increased to 3 hours, ie 2-5pm.

Will update as it goes...

[marvin1997]

Very useful!!!You got yourself some seeds,eh?Medium can be peat also right?

[tzestan]

I hope to get my mature plant produces some seed next 1-2 years. I believe peat would work. Others posted reports using that. The nursery had only LSF during my visit. On second thought, LSF is much better aerated. Most terrestrial plants like its root aerated. Peat will need perlite mix to achieve that.

[TranMinh]

Usually VFT become mature for 4 - 6 years !

[tzestan]

I mean my other big plant, probably after next dormancy. Not this batch of seedlings...

[tzestan]

Phase 2: Growing (3 months)
======================

To date:



A summary of gowth progress for the same plant.

1 month


2 months


3 months


Enjoy

[caseyhoo]

That is nice update!!! And seems like u grow it nicely. 3 months got 1 cm!!!

[shamrock]

wow, this is great! thanks for sharing tzestan!

[marvin1997]

MIne got too crowded

[TS]

Congrates that you have got yourself some vigorous forms' seeds, they grow pretty fast and nice too.