Question
Hi, i just had a few more questions.  A long time ago i ordered some nepenthes from you and you threw in a few free pygmy sundew.  i was just wondering is there a way to tell D. nitidula x pulchella and D. nitidula x ericksoniae apart.  You sent me one of each but they both look like a nitidula x pulchella.  Do pygmy sundew produce different types of gemme?  They arent in full sun so the D nxe does'nt have red leaves.  the only one that does is my D roseana.  Lastly, Do older cape sundew produce a base of i guess dead leaves that were cut back.  Is there a way to get rid of the base?  Thanks

Answer
Hi Dustin,

During the summer when the plants are in full sun exposure you can see subltle differences between the two.  Without that, and good photos, it will be impossible to tell the two apart at this time.  Pygmy sundews definitely produce different shapes and colors of gemmae.  Bigger ones like D. scorpiodes have very round bb shaped gemmae.  D. nitudula x pulchella have flat disc-like gemmae.  D. roseana produces tiny round ones.

With your Cape sundew this is very normal to get this long brown stem as the plant ages.  In the wild they can have a scrambling habit growing along the grown putting down new roots.  The best way to make it look good again is to decapitate the plant.  It will send shoots from the stump forming several new plants.  You can then root the top also.  Just cut off all but a few leaves in the very center of the crown, place it in standard peat mix, and put a cover over it to keep the humidity up until it roots.  That will take about 4 weeks depending upon your conditions.  Putting the cutting under fluorescent lights will help it to root the fastest.  Treating it with a fungicide is a good idea also.


Good Growing!

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