Question
QUESTION: Hey:

The cape sundew is sending up a lot of new shoots, but before they get to any size, they turn brown.

I have this on a shelf, about 4 inches from a florescent light.  It sits in a tray of water.  I have a clear plastic container over the top of it to increase the humidity.

I fashioned a cone of poster board around the plant and lined it with aluminum foil to catch and focus more light rom the tube (4" above).

The light is on 24 hours a day.

The plant was purchased.. oh 3 months ago or so.

Immediately next to the sundew is a fly trap.  Same setup.  Same water.  Same light fixture.  Same type of light collector.  The flytrap (in contrast) is thriving, expanding, and growing.

Do you have any suggestions for my sundew?

ANSWER: Hi Rick,

As Cape Sundews age they often get long stems on them and the top of the  plant will start to decline some.  One way to get around this is to transplant it, and plant it deeper in the soil.  Transplant it to at least a 4" pot, larger is great.  Use standard cp mix 50/50 peat moss to perlite.

If it has already been transplanted recently something incorrect about the soil could cause this also.  What is your water source?

Also do a careful inspection for bugs.  On more than one ocassion I've had a Cape sundew begin to decline for no apparent reason.  On careful inpection at the base of the stem little piles of insect dropping were present.  There is a worm/catepillar that can attack them and bore into the stem.  Sometimes it happens just out of view under the soil.

Any chance you could send a photo?

Good Growing!

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

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

QUESTION: I bought this plant from California Carnivores about 3 months ago.  I bought a potted plant.  Assuming they know what they are doing, I am going to assume that the soil mix is good to go.

Also, it isn't just that the old growth (which came with the plant) is browning up.  In fact, all new growth is browning before it gets any length.

The water source is filtered tap (not reverse os).  The reason I mentioned I also have a flourishing fly trap is to hopefully demonstrate the h20 is ok.  

I will inspect for bugs.

I will try to remember to bring in the dig camera to take a photo.

Could it be a light issue?  This is why I mention the light is on 24/7.  This level of light makes the flytrap grow well, but perhaps too much for the drosera?  I am in the midst of an experiment where I have removed the reflector to see what happens.  Results inconclusive so far.

Thanks so much for trying to help out with this.

Rick

ANSWER: Hi Rick,

Thanks for the additional information.  Two issues here.  First is water.  What kind of filtration do you have?  If your house has a water softener that is worse than hard water since it adds salt to the water.  If you are using a carbon filter such as Brita, Pur, Culligan, etc... those don't remove minerals.  Only distillation or reverse osmosis will do that.  It will be very beneficial to get your water checked to see what the hardness is.  Aquarium stores can often do this, or you can find hardness test kits at both aquarium stores or home improvement stores.  If the test comes out above 50ppm you need to use distilled water or rainwater.  It could be that your flytrap hasn't started showing symptoms yet, but will soon.  When we moved our nursery to our current location we had no option but to use our well water which was about 130ppm.  The first plants to suffer were Red Dragon flytraps.  Sundews were next, with green flytraps later.  Sarracenia, Mexican butterworts and Nepenthes are the least sensitive.  We now use a reverse osmosis unit for all of our plant water.

The light cycle could also be an issue.  Since no plant experiences a 24 hour light cycle in nature, barring a few species in the Arctic, it can have a weird effect on some plants.  It's very unlikely that the light is too bright considering that Cape Sundews can do quite nicely outside during the summer in full sun.  Get an inexpensive timer and put the light on 15 hour day.

Let me know what you find out.


Good Growing!

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

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

QUESTION: I had the flytrap at home, where it was floundering.  I've had it at work now for 6 months and it recovered and flourished.  So, I still doubt that it is the h2o, but it'll cost me about a buck to try distilled, so, what the hey.  I'm willing to be wrong if it'll help save the sundew.  Who knows, maybe the VFT will prefer it as well.  Would you recommend topwatering with distilled to flush out the filtered tap?

Thanks for your brain cycles.

Rick

Answer
Hi Rick,

Top watering always helps, and it helps to oxygenate the soil too.  Also, it's quite possible that the water isn't the issue, but until you know the total dissolved solids count it hard to rule it out.

If I could get a picture that would sure help me give you better advice.


Good Growing!

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