Expert: Sarracenia Northwest - 10/16/2010

Question
I have two sundews (Drosera aliciae and Drosera spatulata) and a butterwort (Pinguicula moranensis) that I have recently taken out a terrarium and put them in pots. The sundews a having difficulty producing dew as well as the butterwort. I live in North Dakota where the air is very dry this time of year especially indoors since heating already cool dry air results in warm very dry air. The plants are in a south facing window so sunlight isn't an issue. The sundews are in a standard carnivorous plant soil and the butterwort is in a butterwort soil mix. I realize the plants could be undergoing transplant stress but how long could it take for the plants to acclimate to there new drier environment and what can I do that may be helpful for them?

Garrett Jepsen

Answer
Contrary to popular belief, air humidity play a small role in dew production on sundews.  The most important factors are sunlight and temperature.  You mentioned a south window.  While this is good, keep in mind that as we progress into fall and winter, the daylight hours will decrease dramatically.  So you may still see poor color and slightly less dew even in the winter months, despite being in a south window.

Since you just repotted your plants, will need time to recover from the root disturbance and acclimate to the new growing conditions.  The recovery and acclimation process can take 2 weeks to 2 months, depending on the the root disturbance and your ability to acclimate your plants to the new growing conditions.

As long as your plants have lots of sunlight and the proper water, they will be fine.  The only thing left to do is wait.  Patience is required when growing these and any plants.  

I strongly recommend watching Volume 2 of the Grow Carnivorous Plants DVD series.  You'll learn what makes these plants grow, how to repot them., how to propagate them and how to treat some of the common problems.

Good growing!
Jacob Farin