VFT has seemed abnormal

[Nkop13]

I got this plant 4 years ago, and this is the first time I have felt that something is "off". I am in San Francisco so I know the amount of sun is always a concern, but have used a sun lamp to aid with that issue. It used to grow very tall, with big traps, but more recently the traps are very small or just seem nonexistent in terms of size relative to the stem or browning immediately. I haven't done anything different in terms of care but have been repotting it about once a year with new moss. The only thing I could think could have happened is I damaged the plant/roots during repotting given how difficult it is the separate the roots from the moss in the process.

Welcoming any feedback. The first 2 pictures are from mid-August 2022 and the 3rd picture is from today.

 

[adnedarn]

they look like they're dormant to me. Do you not experience the smaller traps and growth close to/at the media in the winter usually?

 

[Nkop13]

I typically do, but the traps haven't gotten this small before and not for this long. I'm not sure if dormancy periods can fluctuate year over year, but if so, maybe that's what I'm working with and it's not a big deal.

 

[hcarlton]

Traps don't shrink when the plant goes dormant, the leaves overall just get shorter in a ground-hugging rosette and then growth halts. It's etiolated and still needs a lot more light, but I would be worried about a soil issue.

 

[adnedarn]

Well then mine do it wrong. Here is one waking up with last years traps still on it. This is what they do every year.

 

[Nkop13]

Traps don't shrink when the plant goes dormant, the leaves overall just get shorter in a ground-hugging rosette and then growth halts. It's etiolated and still needs a lot more light, but I would be worried about a soil issue.

I repotted it maybe 2-3 months ago with fresh sphagnum moss, same kind I've always used.

 

[Nkop13]

I also have it under this light every day when it is not getting direct sun (which, like I said, in San Francisco is quite often). Open to recommendations on a different kind specific to VFTs, I just went with the most cost efficient I could find.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B085CDPSMR/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_image?ie=UTF8&th=1

 

[Fishkeeper]

I've found this light https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BGXQG748/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 to be strong enough for a pot of flytraps, if you place it fairly close. They need full sun to do well, so most houseplant lights aren't strong enough. I'd start with this light maybe a foot above yours to get them used to it, then slowly move it down to maybe 5" above them and see how they do. You'll probably only need one of those discs to light the pot, which means you can use the other disc for another pot of something! Maybe a fancy cultivar, or some other carnivores entirely- Cape sundews are always fun.

Bear in mind that you will need to adjust their photoperiod for winter so they can go dormant. A light timer is a good way to do this.

Also, don't move it to chase the light. Plants don't like to be moved around, it stresses them with trying to adapt. Either put them outside and keep them outside, as they may well get enough light through the clouds if no glass is in the way (they won't get enough light through modern glass even if it's always sunny out), or put them under the light and keep them there.