Question

Drosera Adelae   QUESTION: Hey there! I am growing a Drosera Adalea and a Drosera Multifidia in Days Creek, Oregon. I was wondering if I could leave them alone in my window for more than two weeks. I could fill up their water tray which is about 2 inches tall and goes a little about half the pots. I still have them in the small pots that they were shipped in and they are both growing very well. They are in the soil that they were sent in with bottled distilled water. They are in a east-facing window sill with about 4-6 hours of morning sunlight if it is a clear day. They would be without any care. I would just be worried about no water. Thank you very much for your help!

ANSWER: The main issue when going on vacation is making sure the soil never dries out.  It's hard to say if your plants will have enough water for the duration.  At this time of the year, it shouldn't be a problem since temperatures are a bit cooler and ambient humidity is slightly higher.

You have two options.  The first is to use a very large water tray or bowl for your plants.  A teflon baking pan might also work.  

The other option is to use disposable plastic containers with lids.  Cut a hole in the lid, just large enough to fit the pots through.  Fill the container with water, put on the lid and place your pot right in the hold.  The lid will help slow down water evaporation.  

It's also OK if the water level is slightly higher than halfway up the pots.  When you get back, set the pots outside of standing water for a couple days to aerate the soil.

Good growing!
Jacob Farin

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Drosera Adelae and Dro   QUESTION: Thanks Mr. Farin!

I was also wondering if I can restrict my plants growth by keeping them in small pots without damaging them. I am running out of space on my window sill so I need to keep them small. Sorry for all my questions but thank you for your very prompt and precise responses!

Answer
Hi Sterling,

Both of those species will do fine in a small pot for quite awhile; perhaps a year.  They will eventually get to an unmanageable size and you'll want to transplant them.  Drosera adelae gets big and bushy with lots of dead leaves, and the D. multifida will get quite long draping leaves even in a small pot.

Good Growing!

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