Question
QUESTION: I have a Drosera intermedia (spoonleaf) that's rather small and starting off.  I got that and a VFT at the same time from a nursery in my state.  VFT is doing great but some of the sundew's lower leaves are turning brown and it's hard to tell if it's even growing.  It's been like this since i got it (a few weeks ago).  Sometime last week i put it in under a cover and a day later noticed mold/fungus (green spiderweb looking kind).  I immediately took it out.  The mold stuff was over most of the live sphagnum on top but not on the actual plant.  Yesterday i removed the live sphagnum and placed the plant back in the long fiber sphagnum, then sprayed it with some neem oil stuff.  I only use distilled water and i have the plants in small pots by the window and under a compact 26w(100w equivalent) flourescent.  Did i do the right thing?  is there anything else i should do or just wait and see?

ANSWER: Hi Tim,

For the short term what you did sounds fine.  The combination of window light combined with the compact fluorescent will give them good bright light which they need.  Using the distilled water is good too.  The Neem will definitely help inhibit the fungal growth.  Also, as you discovered all too fast, the cover does more harm than good because it encourages fungal growth.

Here's a couple more pointers.  Are you sure the sundew is a Drosera intermedia?  Spoonleaf sundews are actually Drosera spatulata.  It makes a huge difference since D. intermedia is a U.S. native perennial, and should be grown as an outdoor plant.  Most D. spatulata are tropical and are good indoor plants.  Long-term the Venus flytrap is also much better off as an outdoor plant since it also is a U.S. native.  Go to this link on our website for more detailed growing information:  http://cobraplant.com/index.php?main_page=page&id=7&chapter=1

For now your current set-up sounds good.  Just keep the plants wet, and watch for mold.  In April consider moving your flytrap outside.  Clip off any dead leaves on the plants.  Once you get a good I.D. on your sundew you can decide what to do next.  It may be able to stay in your window indefinitely.  Also consider taking a look at our E-book.  Since it sounds like you're new to growing carnivorous plants, this would give you a good start on understanding them, and would help you to avoid some of the common pitfalls and myths so common to these plants.  You'll find a link on the care page.

Good Growing!

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



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

QUESTION: Yes you're right, it's a Drosera spathulata.  My mistake.  Also it's got long flowers coming out of the center.  Should i clip the browned leaves and/or flower stems?

The VFT i'm not worried about.  I believe it's young enough to skip this winter, then it can go outside (it's currently 5 degrees here).  At least from what I've read.  I am new to carnivorous plants, although i've been reading up a ton on them for the past few weeks.  So i've got a decent amount of theoretical knowledge but absolutely no experience.  

So do you think the sundew will be alright?  Do you know what that green spiderweb stuff is?

Answer
Hi Tim,

For now go ahead and clip the flower stalks.  If the plant is stressed you don't want it blooming.   Definitely clip any dead leaves; that's where fungal problems start.

I'm not sure about the green spiderweb stuff.  Usually harmful fungus such as Botrytis is grey or white.  Just apply your Neem about once a week for the next couple of weeks and see if that kills it.


Good Growing!

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