DEAR SUN SPOTS: Boy Scout Troop 121 of Auburn is again collecting Christmas trees this holiday season. In the first year, the Scouts of Troop 121 collected more than 80 trees in the city of Auburn.

This year the troop will be expanding program to the residents of Lewiston. While the cities of Lewiston and Auburn do have location for tree disposal they no longer pick them up curbside from homes.

Troop 121 is a Boy Scout troop created to help give youth with special physical, mental and emotional challenges the opportunity for success in a safe Scouting environment that builds character, encourages citizenship, teaches life skills and develops personal fitness.

For a minimum donation of $5 the Scouts will pick up and dispose of Christmas trees on the weekend of Jan. 4 and 5. Trees should be curbside the morning of Saturday, Jan. 4.

Pickup requests can be made by sending your donation to: Troop 121, United Methodist Church, 439 Park Ave., Auburn, ME 04210. For more information visit our Web page at www.troop121me.org/tree-recycling/ or call 783-0790. — Don Malpass, Scoutmaster, troop121me@gmail.com

DEAR SUN SPOTS: When I was in the Army in Kansas, I saw a Venus flytrap. Since I have been back in Maine in March 1986, I have been trying to locate one. I finally did online at dreamproducts.com.

The only issue is that it comes in a seed form with the entire kit to grow one. I have three now, and not one has done anything. It said it was only to take one month, and it has been three. I did everything for the last two as directed on the package and still I got nowhere.

I was forced into retirement back in 2007, due to several strokes and continuing issues from them, and have little money. I cannot afford to buy any more of these kits and was hoping that you, among all your contacts and wisdom would be able to let me know where I can, or even if I can, find one that has already grown.

Please help me find one. All I am asking for is just one flytrap. Thank you for all your service. — Scott via email

ANSWER: According to online sources, it may take only a month or two to germinate a flytrap, but it can take years for a flytrap to mature. At Wikipedia.com it says:

“Venus flytraps are popular as cultivated plants, but have a reputation for being difficult to grow. Successfully growing these specialized plants requires recreating a close approximation to the plant’s natural habitat.

“Healthy Venus flytraps will produce scapes of white flowers in spring; however, many growers remove the flowering stem early (2 to 3 inches), as flowering consumes some of the plant’s energy, and reduces the rate of trap production. If healthy plants are allowed to flower, successful pollination will result in the production of dozens of small, shiny black seeds.

“Plants can be propagated by seed, although seedlings take several years to mature. More commonly, they are propagated by division in spring or summer.”

The Wikipedia entry notes that the reason for the insect-trapping behavior is very poor soil. The bugs provide needed protein.

“The Venus flytrap is found in nitrogen- and phosphorus-poor environments, such as bogs and wet savannahs. Small in stature and slow growing, the Venus flytrap tolerates fire well … It survives in wet sandy and peaty soils. … The Venus flytrap is not a tropical plant and can tolerate mild winters. In fact, Venus flytraps that do not go through a period of winter dormancy will weaken and die after a period of time.”

If you want to buy an established plant, there are many online sources, including www.flytrapcare.com/store/venus-fly-traps/, www.californiacarnivores.com/venusflytraps.aspx, www.petflytrap.com and amazon.com.

Any local nurseries that sell flytraps, please email sunspots@sunjournal.com.

This column is for you, our readers. It is for your questions and comments. There are only two rules: You must write to the column and sign your name (we won’t use it if you ask us not to). Please include your phone number. Letters will not be returned or answered by mail, and telephone calls will not be accepted. Your letters will appear as quickly as space allows. Address them to Sun Spots, P.O. Box 4400, Lewiston, ME 04243-4400. Inquiries can also be emailed to sunspots@sunjournal.com.

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