I suspect that photoperiod influences dormancy of flytraps and sarracenia more than temperature. I have grown Sarracenia sp. outdoors in Southern CA and species such as oreophila produce phyllodia(non-pitcher dormancy leaves) in the fall even when day temperatures are still above 30C, however, the night temperatures are around 10C. In the past, I have tried placing these plants in the fridge for 3 months. This works very well, but I have found that it is not necessary, however, I imagine that it is even warmer where you live. If you get enough flytraps to germinate, you can try some in the fridge and others outside.

I would bet that there are plenty of native tropical Drosera species in your area.

Hi Shadyvine

So are you saying that your plants go dorment even though the winter and fall weather is not freezing?
Im curious because I come from the coast in South Africa (in the US now).
I saw 1 or 2 online CP's stores from back home who say that "when the plant falls dorment in winter" you should do X Y and Z, they say nothing of "you must put it in the fridge" or any other such thing.
The weather back home is quite hot and it is cold in winter but not cold by American standards in places like this.

Ive e-mailed them but have got no responce, so I am curious if the plant was left out in a warm tropical location if it would fall dorment on its own with less sunlight during the day and a colder temp even though it is nowhere near freezing.

Cheers

Sheldon

Hi Sheldon,

Yes, they go dormant even when temperatures are still in the 70'sF during the day. From what I have heard, the last time any snow fell in my area was over 30 years ago...
I imagine that the weather in South Africa and Western Au is similar to the weather in Southern CA.
Not sure how well flytraps and Sarracenia would fare outdoors year-round in climates that are hot year-round day and night with very little change in photoperiod. In my area, the winter nights are cool(45-50F), but the days tend to be warm(70F with sun out). The photoperiod decreases noticeably during the winter.

thanks for the info :) one thing, so if it goes dormant, y put it in the fridge, i can see that this would be far removed from what would actually happen to a plant, sure it would get cold and less light but not no light like in a fridge. and if the plant doesnt go dormant should u force it by placing it in the fridge. temps here at night usually only hit 20 degrees celsius in summer. whilst days are hot (30-40celcius) and the light intensity is strong, a piece of shade cloth plus misting makes quite a cool environment with plenty of light. i grow a lot of cactus and have found many things people say about growing them to be untrue for my area.

only one way to find out i guess :)

Hi,

The fridge is cold enough that the plant will completely stop growth.

cool thanks for your help :) i will give it a go. do seedlings like a little less light then adults?

Hi Lorax,
I'm in Nhulunbuy in the N.T. I grow heaps of carnivorous plantshere, mostly nepenthes and droseras. I have very little luck with VFTs and I have tried forcing dormancy by putting them in the fridge. They will last perhaps an extra season or so. There are many tropical native Droseras around Cairns and up here in the N.T. which would do well for you, including D. falconneri which I think is the most spectacular of them all. Go down and see Desiree at Melsonrock nursery in Whiterock, she has heaps of C.P.s and will be able to help. Also, Rod from Captive Exotics in Kuranda will be able to shed more light on the VFTs as well as Nepenthes and Droseras. Both places are worth a visit just to see the C.P.s on display.
If you are keen on tropical C.P.s I would be haoppy to send you some Nepenthes cuttings to get you started.
I hope this helps,
Regards,
Brendon

thanks brendon :) im looking into drosera now.