Question

Drosera multifida 'Ext   Hello

I've had this drosera multifida 'Extrema' for around a year now. It has been growing fine up until recently. About a month ago its leaves started turning black and any new growth also turned black. Now it looks almost like it's dormant. There also seems to be some mold on the surface of the soil. I grow it under four T-5 fluorescent lights for 12 hours a day. I keep it in a tray with distilled water. I have not repotted it since I bought it, but it looks like it's in peat moss and sand. I live in southwest washington (Vancouver) and I haven't put it outside.

Is this a fungus problem or does this plant just go dormant in the winter?

Thanks!

Answer
Hi Reggie,

Just from the appearance of the soil, it probably is time to transplant it.  This does look like the plant is dormant, and many species of D. binata have a dormancy.  I've never seen our Multifida extremas go dormant, but they come from warmer areas of Australia, so their dormancy may be a summer dormancy.

I would just repot it and give it some time.  You might try decreasing the temperature some to see if the plant starts active growth again.  Most D. binata varieties have a fairly short dormancy; usually about two months.

Good Growing!

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