Question
I have a Drosera venusta that has been growing just fine for the past couple months, and has produced two flower stalks. While making the second flower stalk, its growth slowed down considerably and it only produced one much smaller-than-normal leaf. It has almost finished flowered and there are no signs of a new leaf forming from the center of the rosette. It is a "tsitsikamma" locality plant grown from seed. Could it be dying or just slowing down until it finishes flowering? I read on growsundews.com that drosera venusta coccicaulis stopped growing after flowering and had to take stem cuttings. Will I have to do that if it is actually dying?

Answer
Hi Jared,

I'm not totally sure if these different forms have different growth patterns.  The form I have does slow down during blooming, but resumes good growth afterwards.  We've found the bigger factor for D. venusta is temperature.  They definitely slow down when it's hot, and grow very well during cool weather.  We see our best growth during the winter when the greenhouse is in the 60's.

If for whatever reason you think the plant is dying you can strike both leaf and root cuttings from this species.  I've found root cuttings to be the most reliable.  These also tend to set seed well, and germinate easily.  They are just slower from seed.

Good Growing!

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