Question
Hi guys,
I have a few Drosera Filiformis varieties and have recently noticed that, while the plants look healthy and even have LOTS of new growth, some of the older leaves have lost their 'dew'.  On the Drosera intermedia x filiformis, it looks like the outer leaves are dried, darkened and dying, but there is plenty of new sticky growth toward the center.  On the Drosera filiformis tracyi it looks like most of the leaf is green, but the tip is brown and there is no dew anywhere on that leaf - again, plenty of new growth in the center.

I'm in Vancouver, WA and the plants are outside in full sun sitting in constant distilled water.  With the warmer weather I have also been top watering them at least once a day.  The plants are still in the pots that we got them in (from you) and we've had them since your open house in July.

I watched your volume 1 DVD, and it was extremely helpful, I just didn't see (or don't remember seeing) anything about this.  Is this drying normal?  Should I be trimming these dry leaves off, or leaving them alone?  Is the plant still getting any nutrients from these leaves?  

Thank you,
Portia

Answer
Hi Portia,

This is very normal late summer appearance for these plants, especially D. filiformis ssp. filiformis and the x hybrida.  They grow vigorously early and mid summer, then slow down some late summer after blooming.  They will go dormant by the end of September.  D. tracyi should be growing well right now, but you will see lots of floppy leaves and older ones dying off.  When they go dormant the leaves will die, then you will see a tight mass in the center of the plant.  This is called a hibernacula.  The plants will remain this way until next spring.

Good Growing!

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