Question

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Sundew Close-up   QUESTION: Hello,   I live the northeast Florida area. I received a sundew (Drosera, ?)through the mail.
The picture you are getting is slightly enhanced for best quality. Besides Leaf L1, the rest of the marked leaves have only partially curled.
Specifications:
(1)Exact species name: Unknown. (2)WATER: Distilled Sometimes Reverse Osmosis,  through bottom of pot.  (3)SOIL: Might be Peat moss, unsure. (4)LIGHT: direct sun during the day, bright Compact fluorescent lighting at night. Medium size bulbs, I alternate between a 4900k bulb and a 6500k bulb, (leaning towards the cool color spectrum.  The average soft white is probably 2700k) Temp:  90's during the day, brought indoors and placed under a bright light at night.  Indoor temp is about 77 (both Farenheit)    

LEAF STATUS: The leaves marked in the second photo are  leaves that showed movement.  (L1):Curled up around fire ant, curled most (L2):insect gone, glands/tentacles curled only (L3):small ants, glands somewhat curled (L4): leaf and glands somewhat curled (L5):central glands curled only L6: trap somewhat curled L7: glands curled around bug, but not much.
All bugs were placed on the plant using tweezers. Small ones, Bugs were held by their legs.

The problems:(short version)  not much in the way of growth, lack of redness in some of the glands ,  And the leaves, well I'm not sure they're healthy. I feel I'm doing something wrong. I don't even know the exact species of Sundew it is.

The Question: My plant looks to be hanging on by a slender thread. Is there anything I can do to improve the plant's health?

I have lots of good things about  you and was hoping you could help. Your help would be very much appreciated.

ANSWER: Hi Matt,

Thanks for sending the photos.  That always helps.  Your plant is Drosera spatulata, the Spoon-leaf Sundew.

Alright, time to get cool drink, sit down and relax.  Your plant doesn't look that bad.  The way to fix what ails it will be pretty easy.  It seems like you're trying to baby this poor plant to death.  D. spatulata is an easy species.  What you should do is decide whether you want this plant outside, or inside.  Pick one, then leave it there.  It will be quite happy outside in a sunny location sitting in a tray of water.  Just protect it from freezing in winter, and maybe shelter it some during very heavy rain.  If you keep it indoors, grow it under your 6500K bulb, and get a timer.  Keep it on a 14 hour day.  Keep the light about 6 inches above the plant and adjust depending on how it does.  If it seems new leaves are too pale green, move it a little closer.  Don't keep it on 24 hours.  That is part of why it's looking bad.  Plants need night.  Keep the plant in one location and don't be moving it around.  Plants don't move around in nature, and respond badly in cultivation if constantly being moved.  

For more information on growing tropical sundews visit our caresheet pages at:  http://www.cobraplant.com/caresheets/tropicalsundews  You might also consider our volume #2 DVD:  http://www.cobraplant.com/dvd/volume2  It could help you avoid the pitfalls so common to new growers.

Good Growing!

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


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

QUESTION: I forgot to mention a thing or two in the previous question. In terms of size, the plant's diameter is a little larger than a quarter dollar  (US currency)    Is that D. Spatulata's typical size, and if so what is the usual growth rate?   
I'm not questioning you, but I did make the mistake of not giving a size description the first time, so I just wanted to be sure.   
Once again, your information is much appreciated!  I promise I won't ask you too many questions unless it's something dire.  
Sincerely, Matt

Answer
Hi Matt,

Since I could see the sides of the pot in the photo, and I've grown thousands of Drosera spatulata, I could tell roughly how large the plant was.  In this situation it wasn't as relevant a factor as overall appearance, and knowing how you were caring for the plant.

As I mentioned before, figure out where you want to grow the plant, get it set-up, and then don't be moving it around.  Since you live in Florida, growing it outside would be my personal preference.

Good Growing!

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