Reviving Staghorn Sundews After Shipping-Induced Dormancy

QUESTION: Back in March I received a Staghorn Sundew from you. It died down within a day or so and you thought it had gone dormant during shipping. You sent another one and it did the same thing. I have been basically treating them as if they didn’t go dormant (keeping them under light and in water). So far there is no sign of life. When should I see growth if they are going to wake up?

ANSWER: Hi Patricia,

It sounds like they are going into dormancy when you get them. I would just put them outside with your Sarracenia and let them be. You should see them re-emerge sometime this summer. They have very thick roots they die down to as opposed to North American sundews that form hibernacula. They are zone 8 in their hardiness, so they would need to be indoors in winter in Kentucky.

Good Growing!

Jeff Dallas
Sarracenia Northwest
https://www.growcarnivorousplants.com

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks. I have moved them outside. If they come out this summer and I bring them in when it gets cold, is there anything in particular that I need to do? Do they need to go dormant again?

Answer

Hi Patricia,

Just move them to a sunny windowsill in winter. Normally they will have about a two-month dormancy, then re-emerge. Ours may be a bit messed up in their season since we had them under lights mid-winter. They will re-adjust with consistent seasonal cues. D. binata dichotoma tends to be a very tough plant and very adaptable.

Good Growing!

Jeff Dallas
Sarracenia Northwest
https://www.growcarnivorousplants.com