Q/A #129 - New Traps Are Turning Black

QUESTION:
I wanted to say that I thoroughly enjoyed the purchase and reading the information that you had about taking care of the plants was helpful; however, I stumbled across an issue. I've put my Dente Flyltrap outside in direct sun and I've been using distilled water and filling the container I set my plant in only halfway up the pot. I read in the general guide that some of the traps may turn black because of age but the issue is some of the new traps are turning black and I'm at a loss of what to do or what's wrong. There's still some new growth coming in from the center of the plant so I still have hope but I'm still worried about the state of the newer traps. If it helps, I kept the plant in the original container it came in and didn't change the soil. Any advice?
(Submitted in July 2020.)

RESPONSE BY JEFF DALLAS:
Venus flytraps such as this Dente should have some redness in the interior of the trap. When they are pure green like this, it's a dead giveaway that it needs more sun. From what I see in the photos, it looks like the plant either isn't getting enough sun, or was in a lower light area, but was recently placed in a location with full sun. If that is the case, the plant is transitioning to more healthy growth in the brighter location. Some shock will result from this, but once the newer growth comes out, the plant will look normal. 

Venus flytraps should be in an area that gets no less than 6 hours of direct sun when the sun is shining. I like to use the tomato rule. Wherever you place a flytrap or Sarracenia pitcher plant you should be able to grow a tomato plant in that spot. If you couldn't, it's not bright enough for the flytrap or pitcher plant either.

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