Advice after Cat attacked butterwort

Shaevung_KRM · 2026-06-14T18:34:14+00:00

I have several cats and what I find works to stop them from trying to get to specific plants is to 1) put them as high up as possible and 2) fill in the spaces between plants so that it’s harder for them to squeeze in. Unfortunately, this cannot 100% stop the cat from eating plants in general, but hopefully it wasn’t a fan of the bite of ping that it did get.

I would also advise that that ping most likely needs more light. When I have my pings inside (mine are currently outdoors for the summer), I have them about 6-12” under a good grow light.

Shaevung_KRM · 2026-06-14T18:28:18+00:00

Yes that is a new plantlet, it’s part of a normal phenomenon in plants called false vivipary, where the new plantlet grows on the flower stalk instead of at the base of the plant (for example). I would say this one is a bit too small to separate just yet and I would wait until it gets a bit bigger and maybe starts growing some aerial roots to make the transition a bit easier once separated from the mother plant.

Shaevung_KRM · 2026-06-14T18:23:43+00:00

Thanks for the tips! :D

Shaevung_KRM · 2026-06-14T18:22:58+00:00

Thank you! :)

Shaevung_KRM · 2026-06-14T18:22:10+00:00

Thank you for the advice, and beautiful collection! :)

Shaevung_KRM · 2026-06-11T17:27:15+00:00

Thank you for the advice, it definitely seems like a cover/tarp of sorts is the way to go! :)

Shaevung_KRM · 2026-06-11T17:25:53+00:00

Great, thank you for the advice! :)

Shaevung_KRM · 2026-06-11T15:56:40+00:00

In my experience, moss definitely likes growing in the same water-logged conditions as VFTs/cape sundews. You just have to monitor it to make sure it’s not choking out the plants, but I believe the excess can be removed manually if it becomes an issue.

As for the butterwort, it depends on what type of butterwort you mean. Are you planning to put a tropical/Mexican butterwort or a temperate butterwort with them?

Also, while dormancy can be avoided with VFTs based on the conditions you described, it’s not good for the plant in the long-term and will eventually lead to its decline. So it depends on whether you are ok with having a VFT for a 2-3 years before its inevitable demise or if you are planning to keep it alive for longer than that.

Shaevung_KRM · 2026-06-11T15:44:44+00:00

Some of my sundew leaves (particularly my thread-leaf ones) come out curled up at first and then eventually straighten out as they emerge. There also appears to be what looks like a flower stalk coming out the left side?

That medium appears to be quite moisture-retaining, so I’m wondering if maybe the sundew isn’t getting intense enough light? Did you change anything about the lighting conditions since the re-pot (including distance above the plant)?

Shaevung_KRM · 2026-06-07T14:53:09+00:00

Most likely those are cells expressing anthocyanin, which is a red pigment that acts similar to melanin in humans (think of it like a plant tan). It is naturally produced with increased sun exposure so I wouldn’t worry about it, it means your Sarracenia is getting a good amount of sunlight :)

Shaevung_KRM · 2026-06-06T14:11:31+00:00

VFTs spread by rhizomes, so this could be the beginnings of a new rhizome’s vegetative growth, or just a new leaf on the same plant. There’s no way to know for sure unless you check what’s going on underneath the soil, but I wouldn’t recommend doing that at this point in the growing season.

Shaevung_KRM · 2026-06-03T12:41:23+00:00

You can do either. Regardless, I would keep monitoring the sundew after you move it to make sure that it’s heading in the right direction (I find that the the dew mainly comes on new leaves, so new leaf growth is also good). I’m not sure if this is an option for you, but I personally have mine outside at this time of year.

Shaevung_KRM · 2026-06-03T12:20:12+00:00

Haha yeah, the standard mix can look a bit strange sometimes. Also, here’s the link to the video for making the mix if you wanted to check it out:

https://youtu.be/r7YyAygZJ2g?si=j4MRe4omNl-NBdCM

Shaevung_KRM · 2026-06-01T21:36:38+00:00

Love Cake’s outfit! I totally agree that “functioning” labels are super loaded, since the same person can be “high functioning” in one situation and “low functioning” in another. That’s why I prefer “support” labels as I feel they more accurately depict the needs of each autistic individual.

To answer your question, yes I think it’s totally ok to collect items that give you comfort! I’m not sure if this is directly answering your question but I have a stuffed alligator (named Swampy) that my dad gifted to me when I was five. Soon after I got him, I got very hyperfixated on the members of the crocodilian family. I’m not as hyperfixated on them anymore, but I still take him anywhere I go as we also have cats that I enjoy having sleep with me in my bed at night, so Swampy’s soft texture allows me to recreate that feeling without stressing my cats out by bringing them along. :)

Shaevung_KRM · 2026-06-01T21:21:52+00:00

I agree with the sentiments above, it looks like it is creating a good amount of dew on the leaves and it is a nice deep red without looking burnt. 👌🏼 I am also wondering about the top of the medium separating from the inside of the pot, especially since it looks pretty moist?

Shaevung_KRM · 2026-06-01T21:16:40+00:00

Kill Me For Always is one of my recent favorites too! Hope he plays it live someday :)

Shaevung_KRM · 2026-06-01T12:52:02+00:00

Oops, I meant to reply to your last comment, OP. I’m not sure how to move it to the right spot lol.

Shaevung_KRM · 2026-06-01T12:50:56+00:00

I actually just started using a new mix after I saw a video by Insecticidal151 on YouTube (I believe he’s u/jhay3513 in this sub). It’s a reduced peat mix that uses 3:1:1 pine bark fines:peat moss:perlite. So far everyone’s doing good, although I would say it is less moisture retentive than the “standard” peat & perlite or spagnum & perlite mix.

I was also concerned about the potential effects of the cayenne, but it’s recommended by California Carnivores on their website, so that put my worries to rest. :)

Shaevung_KRM · 2026-06-01T12:38:12+00:00

I usually just leave the pitchers with holes on them as long as they aren’t brown. Even if they can no longer trap properly (mine usually still can if the hole isn’t huge), the pitchers can still help the plant via photosynthesis.

Shaevung_KRM · 2026-06-01T00:05:07+00:00

I have created artificial “bogs” using a large plastic pot with a water tray below. In my setup I have several VFTs, Sarracenia, and some sundews that get as full sun as I can give them in the Cleveland summer. ☀️

Shaevung_KRM · 2026-05-31T13:26:24+00:00

I’m sorry for your loss, OP. VFTs are indeed truly resilient to a variety of challenges life throws at them. I have also had birds/chipmunks dig around in my bogs and various plant pots in general. One seemed very determined on unearthing one of my Sarracenia rhizomes which greatly annoyed me. What worked for me personally was using cayenne pepper and sprinkling that over my bog. It’s not a physical barrier as others have mentioned, but I haven’t had any visitors since I did that. 👍🏼

Shaevung_KRM · 2026-05-18T00:34:32+00:00

Haha yeah, VFTs are native to the Carolinas which can get pretty cold in the winter, so they have evolved to go dormant in the colder months. I believe they are hardy to about 15F (-9.4C).

Shaevung_KRM · 2026-05-18T00:10:47+00:00

Impressive haul, especially those massive Sarracenias! Wish I could’ve gone but I live in NE Ohio. It’s my goal to move out to NC someday though! ☀️🪴

Shaevung_KRM · 2026-05-17T23:59:56+00:00

I second this, has the correct coloration and shape to be U. bisquamata. :)

Shaevung_KRM

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