Expert: Sarracenia Northwest - 12/11/2011

Question
I have a cape sundew that I purchased early this last summer.  Toward the end of the summer, early fall, it sent up several flower spikes but none of the flowers opened.  The buds grew till they looked like they should open then they faded and died.  Each bud all the way up the stalk did this and then the stalk died.  Everything looked healthy other than the flowers never opened.
I was growing the plant with my other carnivorous plants on my deck. This is north facing and gets really good morning and afternoon sun.  I had the plants placed so they took advantage of the best light and the 6 different carnivores looked nice all summer.
The sundew had nice healthy looking leaves with good dew on them.  It did a good job of attracting and "eating" small bugs.
It is growing in sphagnum moss, and I was watering it with well water run through a ro filter.  I am in SW washington at about 1000 feet elevation.
The flowering happened fairly late as one of the stalks was still "blooming" when I brought it in for the winter. I generally get my first frost around Halloween, so don't really worry about bringing in the tender plants till fairly late as I want them to get fairly "hard" for the winter as my house is quite cool and I can't provide really good light (just a fluorescent bulb close over the top).
So, for next summer, is there anything I can do to encourage the flower buds to open???
Thanks
Lynda

Answer
Hi Lynda,

Usually Cape sundews bloom like crazy.  Here's some things that might help.  First, transplant your sundew into some fresh soil, and a bigger pot if it seems a bit crowded.  That should give it a little boost, and some better oxygenation of roots.  Make sure that your plant is actually in a full sun location.  My usual rule of thumb is that wherever you place carnivorous plants, you should be able to grow a tomato plant in that spot.  If it's not bright enough for a tomato, it's not bright enough for carnivorous plants either.  Also, make sure your plant always has a shallow tray of water to sit it.

By any chance do you have photo of your sundew or other carnivorous plants from last summer?  If I could see the plants/location I might have a better idea if something is amiss.

I was also curious about your R.O. filter.  What type is it?  Have you tested the water to see what the total dissolved solids are after it passes through it?  Mineral build-up could cause the problem your're seeing, and sundews and flytraps are more sensitive than pitcher plants are.

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Good Growing!

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