Expert: Sarracenia Northwest - 9/14/2011

Question
Hi SNW,

I was planning to do a science fair project by testing how different types of light affect the amount of time it takes for a Cape Sundew to digest a specific typed of bug, such as house flies. I would use ultraviolet light, infrared light, and Christmas tree lights for this experiment. Should I use a terrarium or not! In perspective of the plant's health? Also, if i do use a terrarium, is there a way to construct or buy one that can be divided into three sections for different types of light?

Answer
Hi Joe,

I would avoid the terrariums.  Simple water trays on shelves will work fine.  A terrarium will complicate things by increasing the risk of fungal infections on plants that are already likely to be less healthy due to inadequate light.

I'd also suggest that you have a non-carnivorous plant species you grow with the same lights as a control group.  Something like Basil or other fairly fast growing vegetative plant would be good.  Cape sundews are full sun plants, and the types of lights you're proposing to use would not provide adequate light for general growth.  Some research before-hand on the photosynthetic absorption spectrum of plants (chlorophyll) would be good since you are looking to see what different light frequencies do to them.  Carnivorous plants need to be healthy, or they can't digest insects at all.

Good Growing!

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