Question

Mystery Sundew  
Side view   QUESTION: Hello,

I purchased a drosera adelae this past spring. It wasn't watered a few days and died. I noticed a small plant growing and thought it came back from roots, however after growing about 6 months it's  easy to grow but isnt adelae. I've been growing it under 4 t-5 florescent lights with temps 70-80 day 60s at night it is thriving with many other Cp's. Its reminiscent to drosera oblanceolata, I don't have experience with that species so it's just a guess. Can you help identify this plant? I just want to make sure it has the right requirements.
Thank you,
Tom

ANSWER: Hi Tom,

Although I'm not 100% sure, you may have a nice little score here.  This looks like a sundew hybrid.  It's most likely Drosera rotundifolia crossed with a tropical D. intermedia or possibly the Hawaiian D. anglica.  The leaves clearly look look like rotundifolia, but I can see the elongation at the petiole more like an intermedia or anglica.  Also, you're growing it in tropical conditions, and a rotundifolia would have tried to go dormant or died.  The same would be true for the natural North American hybrids of those plants such as D.x obovata and D.x beleziana.  Check out the photos on this page:  http://www.cpphotofinder.com/drosera-ivans-paddle-3414.html

Did this plant come from California Carnivores by any chance?

Since this plant looks like a hybrid there's a good chance it's sterile.  It would be good to take some leaf cuttings of it.  It's a really nice specimen.  I would be interested in getting a couple leaves to try and strike if you could spare them. :)

Good Growing!

Jeff Dallas
Sarracenia Northwest
http://www.growcarnivorousplants.com

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Very interesting! I purchased this specimen from cooks carnivores. I would happily give you a few cuttings. Do you think I should keep growing this sundew in tropical conditions, or see if it will go dormant?

Answer
Hi Tom,

I would just keep it growing the way you have it.  If this is Ivan's Paddle, it's sub-tropical, and Tetraploid, meaning it's not sterile.  If it blooms, tickle the flowers with a paint brush and see if it makes seeds.  If it is Ivan's Paddle, this would also explain how it popped up randomly on another pot.  Sundews are quite happy to spread their little seeds everywhere!

Good Growing!

Jeff Dallas
Sarracenia Northwest
http://www.growcarnivorousplants.com