Question
QUESTION: Hey Guys, Jason from AZ here. As you know I ordered a King Sundew from you and it should arrive today YEA! However, I also have another one and I'm wondering about something the leaves do. First it is in peat and sand for soil and I have it under the shop light setup just like yours (7" or 8" from the lights). The leaves have great dew production and the bottom part of the plant is very red. The leaves are about an inch long. My wonderment is when a new leaf forms the very tip won't produce dew and blackens after a week or so. The rest of the leaf remains fine and even wraps around insects I give it. I have it in a 20 gallon tank with my other Cape Sundews which grow like weeds but I have no top on at all so humidity probably is not very high. Would that cause those tips to do that or or?? Thanks for your help and Merry Christmas!

ANSWER: Hi Jason,

Your leaf-tip browning could be low humidity, but you would see it on your Cape Sundews also.  Your tank with multiple plants is probably providing a descent ambient humidity.

Water issues can sometimes cause leaf-tip browning.  If you're getting any mineral build-up, that can cause it.  I frequently see it in folks that are using hard water to water their plants.  (I'm assuming you're using purified water, but even with R.O. systems a little mineral remains, especially if your tapwater is very hard.)  Inconsistent watering can also cause brown tips.  This is very common in Drosera adelae since they are very intolerant of dry soil.  With your D. regia, if it is getting root-bound you could be having a similar issue.  D. regia has a very large root system for a sundew.  Likewise, if a D. regia is constantly waterlogged, especially if the water is too deep on a pot the leaf-tip browning could be the first sign you're having some trouble with root rot.  Cape sundews are not as picky about this.

What are your temperatures in the tank?  D. regia definitely likes cool conditions.  70's during the day, and 50's and 60's at night would be ideal.  Regia's really like a nighttime cool-down.

Here's a link to an article that may be helpful:  http://www.carnivorousplants.org/howto/GrowingGuides/D_regia.php

Good Growing!

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

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QUESTION: The temps are midd 70s day and upper 60s night. I use distilled water. The plant is in a four inch pot and the plant is not that big. Could the roots be bound that small? The soil is peat and sand. I'll see what happens to the one I get from you.

Thanks, Jason

Answer
Hi Jason,

Everything sounds good.  Send me a photo if you get a chance.  You also might try using a few Osmocote pellets like that article recommends.  If you're feeding bugs, or it's catching some, it might not be needed.

Good Growing!

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