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Question
i ordered a multifork leaf sundew from Sarracenia Northwest. it seemed okay when i recieved it, and i've taken care of everything the care sheets told me too. I have placed it on a desk in front of a west facing window, i've put the pot in a cup of water that goes half way up the cup, and i haven't repotted it in different soil or used fertilizer, but some leaves are turning black and dying. what is happening?
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Hello George,
Sundews in general tend to go through leaves rather quickly. So long as you see new growth and their is some greenery on the plant it is fine. Make sure the tentacles are turning red on new leaves and that their is dew on the tips of the tentacles. Those are signs that the plant is getting enough sun. If you do not see red tentacles or dew, place the plant in a sunnier window or get some florescent shop lights (cool white or true daylight 40 watt tubes) with about 6000-12000 lumens over the plants for 12-16 hours a day and about 5-8 inches over the leaves to supplement the window light.
Also, make sure the water level is not over 1/4 the pot in depth. If you have them in a 4 inch pot, the water level should be 1 inch or less in depth.
Use only mineral free water, like distilled, reverse osmosis, or rain water. Drinking water, tap water, and water softened with salt will kill carnivorous plants.
Being a semi-tropical, your Drosera binata-multifida will die back and go into a dormant state in cold weather, so make sure your temperatures are over 40 and preferably around room temperatures of 70-80.
In any event, clip back the dead leaves and watch for new growth.
Christopher
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Answers by Expert:
Christopher Littrell
Expertise
I am capable of answering questions about the most common carnivorous plants found in cultivation. I have no personal experience with Byblis, Drosophyllum, Aldrovanda, and Heliamphora. I have not cultivated gemmae forming pygmy sundews nor tuberous sundews. For information regarding those aforementioned species, I would suggest contacting other experts. I can answer questions regarding most species of Nepenthes, tropical and temperate Drosera, Mexican Pinguicula, Sarracenias, and Dionaea. I have some limited experience with growing Utricularia, Cephalotus, and Darlingtonia.
Experience
I have grown carnivorous plants off and on for about 27 years. I have made the same mistakes and suffered the same mishaps that many growers make as they attempt to separate the myths from the realities of growing these plants. Currently, I am successfully growing a variety of tropical sundews, a Nepenthes, several Venus Flytraps of varying ages, and Sarracenias. I have been successful in stratifying Sarracenia seeds and providing artificial dormancy requirements for my temperate plants when needed.
Education/Credentials
I hold a Master's degree in Educational Psychology. Over my lifetime, I have constantly read books involving the growing conditions of carnivorous plants. I hope to incorporate the educational aspects involved in psychology with teaching other people how to cultivate carnivorous plants.
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