Expert: Sarracenia Northwest - 10/4/2010

Question
QUESTION: hi is it ok if i feed my drosera capensis freeze dried bloodworms i heard it could burn the leaves is that true and is it ok to feed them that period thanks.

ANSWER: Yes, it would be OK to use dried blood worms.  We have used it in the past, and we never noticed any leaf burn from it.  In fact, we also recommend using it in our DVD, Grow Carnivorous Plants, Volume 2.

I'm not sure what others have noted about leaf burn.  There are many factors that affect leaf burn, but I've never seen freeze dried blood worms cause it.  In fact, if it did, then insects in general would cause the same problem.  

Good growing!
Jacob Farin

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

QUESTION: Hi i heard that it could burn the leaf of of growsundews.com

Answer
Sorry Ean, I accidentally hit the wrong button when I attempted to answer your question about soil.  Yes, you can use 2 parts peat, 1 part perlite and 1 part sand.  Perlite, sand and pumice are all interchangeable.  We use perlite only because it's very light and easier to work with.

The real question, however, is whether it's necessary to combine perlite and sand in the same mix.  The only time we've done mixes like this is when we ran out of perlite and had more soil to mix up.  Otherwise, it's not necessary to combine perlite and sand in the mix.  It doesn't increase the benefits, though it does make the pot slightly heavier.  That is advantageous if you want to prevent the pots from tipping over during strong winds.

Jacob Farin