Question
QUESTION: this weekend i found a large lance leaf suffering in lowes, i rescued it. it was taller than normal, and didnt have very thick leaves. obviously it has been suffering for a while, any quick tips to help it bounce back?  i put it into one of my 12 inch sundew pots which faces a west window.  i was thinking about clipping the top so the plant would send out runners and produce more lance leaves, but wouldnt mind having a monster lanceleaf plant either.  any suggestions?

ANSWER: Hi Darren,

Definitely cut the plant all the way back to the soil.  They are often so weak after coming out of those containers that it is hard to save the leaves.  When they start producing the tree-like growth it is a last ditch effort to try and get more light.  Plants grown in bright light never do that.

The best way to get a monster Lance-leaf is to transplant them to bigger pots and cut them back about every 12 to 18 months.  I have one in the greenhouse in a 6" pot that has been cut back many times.  It now has so much growth you can't even see the pot.

Good Growing!

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

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

QUESTION: fantastic advice!! thanks again.

my other lance leaf has recently been cut back, and 2+ weeks later it kicked out two little new guys, they started off super dewy, but the last few days they haven't been as dewy.  Any thing that i'm doing wrong to cause this?  the multiple spoon leaf sundews in the same pot are SUPER dewy so i must be doin' something right.   there is just something about an overflowing pot of lanceleaf sundews that is just so cool!  thanks again

Answer
Hi Darren,

If the Spoon-leaf sundew looks really good, it could be that the sun in that window is exceptionally hot.  Lance-leaf sundews like it just a bit shadier.  I've found that most folks windows are not too bright for them in full sun, but there could always be exceptions.  Also, inspect the crown of individual plants for aphids.  They can begin attacking the plants, but you many not see them at first since they can hide in the fuzz.  If you find some, spray the plant crowns with an insecticide.  Loss of mucilage production is often the first sign of their presence.


Good Growing!

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