For Purchasers of "Keehns Carnivores"

To avoid Canada Post shipping charges check out the "Where to find our Plants" page where you will find links to nursery centers that carry our carnivorous plants. If you have a favorite garden center that doesn't carry our plants please don't hesitate to let them know about us. When purchasing from our online store you may find the prices to be higher than that in the retail stores after adding Canada Post shipping charges but please be assured that you will at most times be receiving our larger specimens which would no longer fit into the domed display pots which the retail stores carry. Because we are mainly a wholesaler, handling and boxing are included in our online store shipping cost calculations and due to the extra expense we've incurred in the past from packaging and shipping single plant orders, a minimum Canadian order of $25.00 (excluding shipping) is now required.

When you purchase one of our plants from a nursery center it may still have the protective cover over it. The cover is there to protect the plant during shipping and to make it easier for the nursery center to keep the plants on the shelf for longer periods of time while keeping enquiring and damaging fingertips away. When you get your plant home be sure to remove the cover and keep the potted plant sitting in a bowl with about one inch of distilled, reverse osmosis or rain water in bright sunlight during it's growing season. Please note that many of these plants have specific requirements that must be maintained for their proper health. In doing so, you will be rewarded with a healthy robust plant that will show it's full colours and attract it's own meals.

The knowledge base has been created as a supplement to the plant description and care instructions on the label of your new Carnivorous plant. If a few simple rules are followed you will be able to enjoy your Carnivorous plant for many years to come.

The knowledge base consists of 6 sections as seen above divided appropriately for each of our plants. Please check their respective pages for specific information. The GROWING TIPS section contains tips for all carnivorous plants in general. However, there might be specific requirements for each species which are specified in the knowledge base. If you have a particular question or think there is anything that should be should be added please feel free to contact us.

The five main rules:

1 - Water your plant with reverse osmosis, distilled or rainwater. The majority of carnivorous plants live in wet areas where there is very little mineral content in the water. The minerals and chemicals in most tap or well water will harm your plant.
 
2 - Feed your plant. By this I mean feed it insects, not hamburger, pork, quiche or 20-20-20 fertilizer. It is a insectivorous plant and has adapted to consuming insects to meet its nutrient requirements, anything else will harm it.  Do not fertilize your plant unless you want it to die.
 
3 - Sleep.  If your plant requires dormancy because it originates from a temperate climate then it must be allowed to go dormant for at least three months of the year, usually winter, to refresh itself. Without dormancy the plant will grow weak and die.
 
4 - Light.  Since most carnivorous plants grow in open areas they prefer bright light and a few hours a day of direct sunlight proves to be very beneficial for them. When your plant starts to lose its color that's a good indication that the light levels have to be increased. If your plant does not require dormancy, supplemental lighting should be used in the winter months. One or two 24" under counter fluorescent 'Gro & Sho' tubes placed a few inches over the plants and left on for 16 hours a day have worked very well for me.
 
5 - Humidity. Because they are plants that grow primarily in fens, bogs and humid tropical climates, a humidity level of between 60 - 85 percent is required to keep them healthy. More information on creating decent growing environments for the plants can be found on the knowledge base and growing tips pages.