Expert: Christopher Littrell - 8/8/2009

Question
just purchased a small king sundew and the branches are turning black. sits in water and full sun, what is the problem? thanks

Answer
Hello Bill,

Drosera regia, or the King sundew as it it called, is a rather notorious plant to keep alive even for relatively more experienced carnivorous plant growers. From your description, I really do not have enough information to diagnose the problem specifically, however; there are several environmental particulars to follow with D. regia.

As with most sundewss, D. regia does like sitting in a tray of water with up to 1/4 of the pot bottom submerged in distilled, reverse osmosis, or rain water. Tap water and drinking water contain minerals that can harm and kill most species of carnivorous plants.

D. regia is a plant that likes bright sunlight, however; temperature is a critical factor to keeping these plants alive. D. regia, should be kept in a place/environment where its roots can be kept at about 70 degrees most of the time. High temperatures around the roots can result in the rapid death of D. regia.

As with all carnivorous plants, never fertilize the soil or use regular potting soils. Sphagnum peat moss and perlite in a 50/50 mixture is the generic soil to use for many carnivorous plants with some species requiring specific differences to the mixture. D. regia will be fine in the 50/50 typical mixture or even in just 100% plain sphagnum moss.

If these tips are not helpful, send me a followup with more detail about the plant's conditions and any potential chemical or pest exposures.

Christopher