That;s the stuff. I have found that the chilean stuff is better then some US... which has twigs and doesn't seem to hold together as well. I like it. Others might chime in.

Ye that looks good, as long as it is "sphagnum" it is fine.
The top qulaity stuff typically comes from Canada and New Zealand, but you should have no problem using that.

Hope your plants grow well

Sheldon

Thanks! I ended up using a 60/40 mix of sphagnum peat/perlite and used the long fiber in the bottom of the pot and then a layer on the top. I soaked the VFTs in a soluton of superthrive in their little display case lids that were packed in long fiber sphagnum. I peeled away a majority of the stuff they were packed in and transplanted into the fresh mix I made up. I bought the VFTs at Lowes. They aren't huge and only have 2 and 3 traps respectively but I'm hoping they pull through for me. Right now they are sitting on a windowsill in there new 4" pots with deep trays under them holding about 2 inches of water. These are my first CPs but I've read though quite a few sites on the web, Savage Garden and quite a few of the threads on this board so I think I've done everything right. Now the hard part is waiting to see if they thrive or die.

Hi HabRob -

I think 2 inches of water is a bit deep for a VFT in a 4 inch pot. I had a few rot this way. Sarrs love it, but I keep my water level at around 1/2 inch for the VFTs.

Also, after I transplant, for a week or two, I put an upside clear cup over the VFTs. I prop it up, or put some holes in the top with a soldering iron.

As soon as a trap forms or one that's on it looks healthy enough, feed it a small bug. You may lose the trap after a week or so, but it will give the plant a little boost of energy.

When they bounce back, you can put them outside in full sun.

Best of luck.

WildBill

I got mine in a 6" pot standing in just under 1" of water in the tray, it seems fine.
Dont worry that they are your first VFTs, Ive never grown CP's before either and Im doing quite well.
A good foliar feed monthly or weekly (differnt mix ofcause) makes them grow like mad.
Just make sure they get good pure water and good bright sun and they should grow very well.
Even if they get sickly some time, dont give up, they are far tougher than they look.

Cheers

sheldon

Oh also

Just keep an eye on how hot the sun is no the location of your window sill, a nice extra you can get is a small grow light, they not too expensive and any extra light your plants get theyll love you for.
They grow very very well outside, but since they indoors in yours and my case, I found the growlights just add that little bit extra light they miss.

Cheers

Sheldon

Thanks for the extra advice guys. I reduced the water level and made a humidity dome out of a zip lock baggie and cut the corners to allow some ventilation. I've used this type of humidity dome for cuttings and it worked well for me. The window I'm using gets more afternoon sun but right now its not bad/too hot until I can get a table or stand to place in front of one of my rear windows where I get morning sun. I will be trying to place these VFTs in my yard to get about 8 hours of sun from dawn till about 3 or 4 pm once I know they have been successfully transplanted. I'm pretty excited and impatient.

Would it be safe to use the fortified lab flies sold by ZooMed for Chamelons and leopard geckos to feed CPs?

I understand that repotting every year will help replenish the growing medium and bring the pH levels back into an appropriate level(acidic)....during the growing season could I water with a "tea" made with Sphagnum peat to do something similar and maintain the soil acidity?

Thanks again!

Well the general advice is that when they go to "sleep" for their winter dormency, you can repot them just after this in spring with a fresh peat mix, I would suggest doing this raher than watering them with a "tea" made from sphagnum moss, its not too bad repotting only once a year anyhow.
Also you dont have to repot every year, some people do it every 2-3 years, the plants just like the acidity from the fresh peat.
The lab flies should be fine, alot of people use the dried bloodworms that you get for fish, they soak them in distilled water to rehydrate them and then feed this to the plants.
Dont be too hasty with your plants, if you are going to put them outdoors for X amount of hours any humidity dome should be removed, also you must remember that your plants will not be used to sunlight and the UV rays that come with it, you most likely will see some form of sunburn which will not be good if your plants are already new and still a tad stressed.
If you want to put them outdoors make sure that they are well shaded, it will take a week or so for them to adapt to humidity/sun changes.
Once they have adapted you can then up the sunlight until they are used to full sun.
I have been told they grow best outdoors in full sun, I however just have mine indoors on a shaded windowsill.

Hope this helps

Sheldon