Re: Can insectivorous plants ever survive without eating insects ?

Complete question:

I think that insectivorous plants only eat insects because they need the 
minerals which the soil in their normal habitat doesn't have. If they were 
planted in soil which was rich in minerals would they not need to eat 
insects or wouldn't they be able to use the minerals from the soil ? Would 
they survive but not develop so well ? I have looked at the faq from the 
carnivorous plants pages. 

Response:

Your reasoning makes sense. Carnivorous plants can survive without trapping 
insects or other small animals but they often grow better when they trap them. 
Carnivorous plants are usually very picky about their soil type and will not 
usually do well on normal soil. Many growers do give them low levels of 
fertilizer, however.

Reference

Pietropaolo, P. and Pietropaolo, P. 1986. Carnivorous Plants of the World. 
Portland, Oregon: Timber Press.