Expert: Sarracenia Northwest - 7/6/2011

Question
I recently purchased (4-5 weeks ago) and received a red leaf (D. capensis) sundew along with several other plants. The other plants are doing great. The sundew was in great shape when received and as noted in the instructions lost dew on the leaves, but unfortunately has not recovered since that time. The leaves haves curled partially, and have little or no dew.
As instructed, I have it in a sunny spot on my outdoor deck with the pot in a small dish of water approx. 1 1/2" deep (water depth). The plant was not transplanted (still in original container-3"). I have not fed it insects, fertilized, etc, just kept it in a sunny location and watered (via dish) with RO water.  Should I expect it to improve in the near future, or is there some other action I should take?

Thank you for your help

Answer
Hi Albert,

From your description, and since you say that the other plants are doing fine, check the crown of the plant for aphids.  You may need to use a hand lens since they hide among the shoots.  The red form of D. capensis is very prone to them, and aphid damage will look like twisted, deformed leaves.  Also, Cape sundews can sometimes get cutworms.  They will live little mounds near them stem, and are a catepillar just under the soil.  They eat the stem of the plant.  Both of these can be treated with a systemic insecticide such as imidacloprid.  This is found in Bayer products such as their Rose and Flower insecticide.

If you could send me a photo of the plant I could make a more accurate assessment.

Good Growing!

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