Question
Jeff Dallas or Jacob Farin,
  All my  Drosera spatulata, paradoxa, nidiformia, venusta, capillaries 憄aseo giant?x  rotunddifolia 慹vergreen?California, Pygmy Sundew, nitidula x pulchella, nitidula ssp. omissa and roseana flower when I bring them in for winter in Ohio. They are kept in a partially covered 12W x 16T x 48L?terrariums  filled with 5?of water, airstone bubbler, heater (75 daytime 65 night time), 40 mm fan, 24/7s two 48?bright white and two plant grow lights set for 12 hours with Mylar on three sides.
  They do this all winter long. Should I cut back on something or is this OK? If its OK, should I remove the flower stalks to save on energy, like for VFT抯?
  Any and all info would be greatly appreciated.


Answer
Hi William,

Your set up seems very reasonable.  From your description, I assume you're using four tubes of fluorescent lights - two bright whites and two plant grow lights.  If so, your lighting is very bright to keep your sundews happy throughout the winter.

There's no reason to cut off flower stalks on your sundews, including your flytraps.  This myth resulted from growers growing their plants in inadequate lighting.  If the lighting isn't sufficiently intense enough, plants won't have enough energy to produce both flowers and leaves.  If the lighting is strong enough, plants can manufacture ample sugar to grow flowers and leaves.  At our nursery, we allow our flytraps to produce flowers year after year.  We have many flytraps that are over 10 years old!  Of course, we grow our flytraps strictly outdoors where they get at least 10 hours of direct sunlight throughout the summer months.

So as long as your sundews are producing nice shades of red, your lights are strong enough for healthy growth that can sustain both flowers and leaves.

Good growing!
Jacob Farin