Question
QUESTION: I live in the Portland, Oregon, area. I have started some Drosophyllum lusitanicum from seed in the house under 40 watt fluorescent lights in 10" terra cotta pots and they are just a bit under 2" tall with 4 or 5 dewy leaves (2 per pot). There is no plastic dome over them and the indoor temperature is between 68 and 70 degrees. My question is when is a good time to move them outside (size and outdoor temperature) and how to acclimate them to the outside? Should they start out shaded at first or is it ok to put where they will receive direct sun all day? Do they need to be protected from the rain if not sitting in a tray (soil is the mix you suggested in your DVD with good drainage out the bottom)?

Thank you for your response,

Anna

ANSWER: Hi Anna,

You can put them outside in late May to early June, and they should be around 6".  They don't seem to need much acclimatization, but while you have them indoors try and provide them with as much light as possible.  Also, try and feed them some if they are not catching any insects.  Dewy Pines really like to eat.  A weak foliar fertilizer works fine also.  Once they go outside, the sunnier the better.  Occasional rain doesn't seem to bother them much.  As soon as the sun comes back out they dew right back up again.  You might need to take some precautions during a heavy shower so not to have them get covered in soil particles.  I don't usually have them in any kind of water tray, but I do monitor them closely during hot weather.  The soil dries out faster than you might expect.

Good Growing!

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

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

QUESTION: Thank you for your response. By "weak foliar fertilizer," can you be more specific on what type exactly and the dilution, and how often? They are so small right now that I don't think they can handle any insect I might be able to catch to give them (I put a small ant on one and it escaped). I have a 40-watt florescent double-bulb shop light, 2700 lumens it says on the box, about 8" inches from the pots, is that enough light (there is no exposure to window light)? Outside, they will have full sun from sun-up to about an hour before sunset all summer. Is it ok to put a shallow tray under them and water this way during the hottest parts of summer?

Answer
Hi Anna,

The volume #2 DVD has information on fertilization.  That information is totally appropriate for Drosophyllum.

While the seedlings are tiny, they tend to catch fungus gnats, springtails and other tiny bugs.  Once they are a little larger, food becomes more important.  That would be the time to consider fertilization until the go outside.  Once outside, they will catch lots of bugs.

Your shop-light is great, but you want it way closer.  It should be about 2 inches above the plants.  Because Drosophyllum grow fairly fast, you'll need to elevate the light as they grow.

I don't like to bottom water Drosophyllum.  It's a recipe for root-rot.  It far better to water them from the top more frequently.  In our greenhouse I do sometimes leave a little water in their trays, but I've also lost plants from keeping them too wet. Seedlings can be a little wetter, but adult plants like to have their soil just moist, to slightly dry.  It's very similar to regular houseplants.  They are very different from other carnivorous plants in this respect.

Good Growing!

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