Question
Hi Sarracenia Northwest,

I have a terrarium that holds various sundews. Last year the moist, warm, north-Carolinian interior produced a bounty of gnats that were perfect food for them. It was like a small ecosystem in there, leading to some of the biggest, healthiest sundews I've ever managed!

The problem I'm having now is, ever since they've come out of dormancy, I haven't been able to get the gnat-attack back on-line. I think I'm sort of a victim of my own success, now that my sundews are so prolific. My question to you guys is, and this probably sounds pretty silly, any ideas on how I can actually TRY to cultivate these little guys? There is nothing, NOTHING on Google about cultivating/buying gnats or gnat eggs. To most people they are pests, but to my pets they are the perfect self-feeding food! :)

-Chris

PS: I'm taking your advice this year and going to try to grow my VFT's outside. Seems that no matter how good I think my interior grow lighting is, my Red Dragons still manage to turn green with sun envy.

Answer
Hi Chris,

The reason you can't find much on cultivating gnats is because your bug, Fungus gnats, are considered serious greenhouse pests.  Their larvae eat plant roots.  However, if you want to get some going to feed your sundews just get a pot of soil and inoculate it with some soil from a houseplant you seen some gnats flying around.  You'll pick up some eggs that way and get them started again.  One mans trash is another's treasure.

Good move on the flytraps.  Red Dragons need strong sun to produce the dark red.

Good Growing!

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