Expert: Christopher Littrell - 6/7/2011

Question
I Bought a Lance Leaf Sundew From Lowes and i placed it near all my other Venus Fly traps, a Fly Got on my Sundew and i watched it move around. and from what i read was that the "Drosera Adalae" have hairs that stick to the prey, the fly just stood there. and flew away. they're doesnt seem to be any dew on the leaves, is there any way to make them produce more Dew?

Answer
Hello Kenneth,

There are many reasons why your Lance Leaf Sundew might not be capturing insects. For one, flies are a bit too large for them. Lance Leaf Sundews tend to capture fruit flies, mosquitos, and gnats easily. If the Sundew is not producing glue on the tentacles, there could be several reasons why.

1. Low light levels. If your Venus Flytraps are in low light, then they, along with the Sundew, will suffer from low energy. Venus Flytraps require full sun or the equivalent.

2. High light levels. Lance Leaf Sundews prefer the medium. They can't take full sun and will burn in full intensity sunlight, which will damage their tentacles and their ability to produce dew. Place the Lance Leaf in partial to indirect sun all day.

3. Temperature and Humidity shifts. Drastic changes in temperature and humidity affect all plants rather badly. Keep the environment from changing too drastically.

Those are a few of the basics for now. If you have more information about the environment and circumstances the Sundew is experiencing i might be able to provide more information.

Christopher