Question
Hi,

I'm having a particular problem with a Sundew plant I'm growing indoors (D. multifida, Extrema). The plant will put out tendrils which grow very well for a week or two, and start to form the sticky dew. Then, the tendril will just die, and a new one will arise. This has been happening consistently for a few months. What could be the issue? Here are my growth parameters:

--TaoTronics E27 LED Grow light, 12 hours per day.
--Watering with distilled water a couple times per week (keep soil wet)
--Light is 1.5 feet from the plant.
--Still in the original pot/soil I bought it in last summer (bought it from you guys at the Saturday Market in Portland).

Thanks in advance!

Answer
Hi Andrew,

Thank-you for the additional information.  Most likely your light is too far away.  Sundews are very high-light plants, so move the light to about 6 inches away.  Give the plant about two weeks and see what happens.

D. binata multifida should have dark red leaves (what you're calling tendrils).  Are they dark red, or just green?  If they are green, that's a dead give away that it needs more light.  If you can combine your light with light from a window, that can be a very good combination.

To help you further I would need a photo of your plant.  Be sure to take the photo in white light since the LED would not give an accurate color of the plant.

Good Growing!

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