Question
QUESTION: I have just re planted my Drosera Regia in a perlite, peat moss and rinsed orchid fir bark mix, is bark acceptable for this plant?   I like the bark, gives it good drainage.

Thanks.

ANSWER: Hi Brandon,

This particular species of sundew is a bit tricky to cultivate.  Unlike other sundews, it seems to prefer well-drained soil over waterlogged soil.  We use a mix of equal parts peat moss, perlite and silica sand.  Orchid park is fine to use, though we had better growth with Drosera regia when we switched to sand.  It could be that the bark broke down too quickly and released some nutrients into the soil, especially when the bark is constantly wet.

We've also had good success growing the plant in terracotta pots.  Terracotta allowed for more evaporation, which kept the soil cooler.  This plant is native to the coastal mountains in South Africa, so it responds better to cooler conditions.  We lost a whole crop of these plants when we experimented growing them in a basement where the minimum temperature was about 75癋 at night and 80癋 during the day.

Good growing!
Jacob Farin

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

QUESTION: Hi Jacob.
Last question, I took your advice found sand, rather fine grade the standard pool filter sand is. I was wandering what  size grade sand you use or do you guys use sandblasting sand with different grit sizes.  My regia is pretty gigantic, the root system has already taken over a 2 gallon size nursery pot.  Just looking for the best size sand for my drainage needs

Answer
You know, I don't know anything about size grades.  It's something I never paid any attention to.  I get my sand from a place that specializes in horticultural rocks, and they have only one type of sand.  All I can tell you is that you don't want the sand to be too fine and powdery.  This will increase the weight of the soil mix.  Over time, the soil will also compact, which will reduce aeration. A course grade will probably be your best bet, if there is such a thing as course grade when it comes to sand.  

Whitman Farms makes a product called horticultural sand.  This sand is silica sand, so you could use it if your local hardware store carries this brand.  Just avoid things like cactus sand or desert sand.  These types of sand are calcium-based, so they're inappropriate for carnivorous plants.

Good growing!
Jacob Farin