Question
QUESTION: I repotted my broadleaf capesundew 3 weeks ago, and ever since, it hasn't been showing any dew on its leaves.  The new emerging leaves have not been full, and have looked a bit 'warped' or somehow bent outta shape... its in the same conditions it was in before it was repotted.... Any suggestions? More/less light?  The root system on it was in great shape, i trimmed a few inches off and made some root cuttings.  but the root lengths were still over 7 inches after the trim....
Also, the root cuttings are beginning to form into mini broadleafs.... They are approx 1 inch tall, and are still sealed in a humid environment, (along with leaf cuttings from the broadleaf, and a few spoonleaf leaves).  The leaf cuttings are just sprouting little buds, i'd guess i should let them stay in the humidity... but at what point to i take the sprouting root cuttings out of the humid environment, and slowly introduce them into open growing conditions?  (also, what point do i do the same for the leaf cuttings?)

ANSWER: Hi Darren,

Chances are no dew will develop on any of the older leaves.  New leaves coming out bent is troubling.  It sounds like it may have aphids.  Get a magnifying glass and take a close look.  If you see any bugs at all spray the crown of the plant.  Otherwise keep it under bright light and give it time.  Since the root system was in good shape, if all else fails, just decapitate the plant.  This will eliminate any potential pests and will force the plant to send up numerous new shoots.  I've done this many times with Cape Sundews, and it will produce several new shoots from the roots.

You'll want to start the hardening off process when you see fully formed  small plants.  They don't need to be big, but they need to have their own root system.  You may need to just look at a couple and see how much they have developed.


Good Growing!

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

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

QUESTION: the "hardening off process".....  lemme make sure i have this thought correct....   Over the course of a few days, slowly open the sealed container to allow for the plants to get accustomed to the lower humidity....   THe broadleaf root cuttings are developing small dewy leaves, but the leaf cuttings are further behind.  Do i remove the cape root cuttings, and put them in pots, and provide a humid environment.... then slowly harden them off?  I know the leaf cuttings have not developed roots yet...

An additional question, sundew seeds.... do they sprout faster in higher humidity? or in normal humidity?  I'm guessing they'd probably devlop a little faster in humid conditions, but need to be hardened off as they develop roots and dewy leaves?  please advise... i've got a BUNCH of seeds, and want to do a little mass production, i've got some friends that love them and have asked to buy a few from me,,, maybe now i can have someone else pay for my growing supplies, ha ha ha...   thanks again for the advice.

Answer
Hi Darren,

That's the process exactly.  We often do it in horticultural trays that have those transparent lids you see in garden centers sold with seed starting supplies.  We'll just prop open a lid about 1" for a week, then  more a week latter until it looks like they are tolerating normal ambient humidity.

That's very normal for the leaf cuttings to take longer.  Depending on how many of the root cuttings you have you could just remove them and cover them with clear cups over their pots and finish their hardening off.  You could spray the leaf cuttings with water while you work to minimize their dehydration.  You could also just wait, and you would have larger plants from the root cuttings.  If the plants are 1" tall or more, I would remove them.  If they are still pretty small, there's no harm in waiting.

In germinating tropical sundew seeds, I've done both, high humidity and just sowing them on soil normally.  I prefer to just sow them on peat uncovered.  You'll have less problems with mold, and you won't have to harden them off.  Germination can be a bit slower, but it's a good trade-off.  Be sure to spray with a fungicide.

One little piece of advice I would give is in how you sow the seeds.  Be sure to sow them sparse enough so that when they germinate you can separate them.  Too many seeds in the same spot, and they can be very difficult to separate.

Good Growing!

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