Carnivorous plants

I was given a gift set of seeds of venus fly trap and pitcher plants for Christmas (from www.boysstuff.co.uk I believe). It came in a kit with some coconut husk compost and pots. I have never managed to get any of the seeds to germinate. I have kept them indoors, on a window sill over a radiator, tried putting the tray in a plastic bag to keep the humidity high. Followed the instructions (I thought), which seemed to suggest that the plants are fairly forgiving where it comes to growing conditions.

I could just have a duff batch, of course, but if anyone else has experience, are they difficult to get started?

 

My answer would be, no, not difficult as long as the seed is fresh.

Unfortunately sometimes we are sold seed that is not entirely fresh and that MAY be the case here.

Did you surface sow?