Question
QUESTION: I have been growing a drosera multifida 'extrema'  outside for a while. I live in Oklahoma and had been growing it in full sun #very hot intense sun all day#. It had been declining so I researched how to grow it and I was told to grow it in a window with four hours of sunlight. I put it in an east window that receives three to three and a half hours of sunlight. I grow it in a one to one mix of perlite and  peat moss and use distilled water. Right now it looks very sickly and only has two leaves on one of the plants and four on the other.Is there anything I need to do to ensure its survival? Thanks for any help you can give.

ANSWER: Hi Jonathan,

Overall your conditions sound fine, and this plant as a rule isn't that fussy.  The heat shouldn't have been that big of a deal considering this plant originates from Northern Australia.

I would like to see what kind of pots you're growing them in, and how you are watering them.  Send me a photo that includes the growing area.

You also mention they had been outside "for a while".  How long was that?  How long have you had the plants?  What was the source of your soil ingredients?  How frequently have the plants been moved from one location to another?

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Good Growing!

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

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Drosera multifida extr   QUESTION: I have had the drosera multifida extrema since last winter. I had been growing it in a sunny south facing window where it was growing great. When the south window stopped receiving light, I moved it to a west window where it continued to grow well. When summer came, I repotted it into the 6 inch tall plastic hanging basket and moved it  outdoors where it received full sun all day. It was there for 2 months towards the end of which I realized that it was declining. Then I moved it to a north facing patio for 2 days while I did the research. After that I moved it to the east facing window it is in now and it receives 3 to 3 and a half hours of sunlight.I water it every day. I bought the peat and perlite from a plant nursery and was very careful to make sure that each product had no addatives. Thank you for your help.

Answer
Hi Jonathan,

Everything you're doing seems fine.  Your plant may have had the soil overheat outside during your very hot weather.  Since this species develops new shoots readily from the roots you may just need to give it time.  If the crown of the plants still look reddish and fuzzy they probably will begin producing new shoots with time.  At this point I would say just make sure you're keeping it well watered, and be patient with them.

Good Growing!

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