Hey aashishkabob, Congrats on the new purchase of your new VFT. I read that your plant's traps aren't deep red like the ones' you've seen in books or pictures on-line. Venus' flytraps will only make reddish traps if they are grown under good lighting. Meaning, they will only make healthy, big red traps if you grow them in a sunny location. Good thing you clipped off that flower stalk, Unless you are truly experienced growing these magnificent plants, stay away from allowing it to flower. Venus' flytraps don't die after flowering. as long as they get good lighting, they will grow Healthy. I live in california, i grow my venus' flytraps outside all year round. Some plants i grow them in my windosill. If your plant is not going dormant, it's Ok. most likely it's confused since it has been growing in that plastic container. remove all the coverings around the plant. Any type of Dome, or plastic cover or plastic cup that covered your plant.. it's best to get rid of it. If it came in a small plastic pot, then it will grow fine there. If your plant chooses to keep on growing, don't force it to make it go dormant. just keep on growing it. You may give it a proper dormancy next fall. Dormancy isn't only about temperature, but also about Light. as winter arrives, days become shorter and colder. flytraps rely on sunlight in order for them to grow properly. If you don't have a proper place to grow your plants outside, You may grow your VFT in a sunny windowsill. If a sunny windosill is not available, You may grow your plant under flourecent lights. a 40 Watt lightbulb is sufficient. My plants usually get 4 to 6 hours of direct sunlight during the growing season(february through october) Or if they are grown under lights, they will need about 16 hours of artificial lighting daily during the growing season. To water your plant is easily, Simply fill in a small type of shallow saucer with Purified water only, then after filling the saucer with water, slowly summerge your plant's pot into the water. this way, its soil will always be moisten at all times. Here's an example how i water my VFTs, i fill in purified water into the saucer, then i summerge its pot into the water to keep its soil always moisten during the growing season. Never allow its soil to dry out: Venus' flytraps Prefer Being watered with Purified water, reverse osmosis water, rain or clean water. No tap water. VFTs prefer medias/soils such as: *sphagnum Peatmoss mixed with perlite. *long fibered sphagnum moss *sphagnum Peat moss alone. No regular potting soil for these plants. as regular potting soil contains hidden fertilizers and are much mor suitable for regular house plants. venus' flytraps aren't compatible with fertilizers. their roots burn easily. Make sure to provide good lighting for your plant. Always keep its Soil moisten at all times. This is a picture of my flytraps that i grow outside. I allow them to flower every season. they get about 4 to 6 hours of full sunlight during the growing season.

I've seen these kits & my nephew bought one. Question is - did you follow the simple instructions that came with the kit? One important rule is that it needs stratification when planting them in the growing media. Stratification is giving them a cold treatment to simulate their environment. usually done by keeping them in the refrigerator for 4 to 6 weeks. That simulates winter period & once you put it in a warm sunny place, that simulates the coming spring, stimulating the seeds to sprout. I have a feeling you didn't read the instructions since one of the rules clearly states to water it with distilled or rain water, but clearly states no tap water. That was the first mistake you did.

Thanks, but will not ship internationally. Will just have to source some viable seeds and do it the old fashioned way. If they take a while, it may be a Christmas present then.

Most definitely NOT a VFT. I think you've got some kind of herb (maybe pineapple sage???) Did you end up with little red flowers? I want to try my hand at growing VFTs as well and have been reading up on how to germinate and grow these fascinating plants. Here's a link I found very helpful about how to grow these guys. I just ordered some seeds on eBay, so we'll have to wait and see what comes up. BTW, you should be able to find photos of actual VFT seedlings online. They look just like mini VFT. Here is a link that might be useful: Venus Flytrap Info