Fixing Insufficient Light and Water Quality for Cape and Fork-Leaf Sundews

QUESTION: Hi I got the sundew I got forkleaf and cape sundew. The leaves on the forkleaf are turning black before they open. I use 40-watt T12 bulbs and temp is between 70 and 80. My water source is distilled spring water. Lights are 12 inches away. Dirt came from Sarracenia Northwest and is the sundew mix. Lights are on between 8 and 12 hrs.

ANSWER: Hi Xavier,

Thanks for the additional information. Your light is too far away from your plants. With standard T-12 tubes the lights should be about 2–3 inches from the plants. I noticed the pale color of your Cape Sundew, but I wanted to be sure how far away your light actually was before I told you to get the light closer. Also, be sure the water you’re using is steam distilled, and not spring water. They are two different things, and “Spring Water” will certainly have minerals in it. If it does, it will be harmful to your plants long-term. If your water brand you’re buying is oddly both, be sure it doesn’t say on the label somewhere, “Sweetened with added Minerals”. I’ve never understood why companies do this. It doesn’t make the water taste better, and it makes it hard water.

Good Growing!

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

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

QUESTION: Hi, problem with bringing lights closer is would that raise the temperature where the plants are? My home is really hot right now, it’s 89.6°F. I moved the lights up because I thought it was too hot. Also the water is steam distilled, but if you think the heat is not a problem I will move lights closer. Also is every 3 days a good watering time?

Answer

Hi Xavier,

See if you can find a way to get the room you have them in cooler at night. The nighttime cool-down is more important than the daytime temperature. The D. binata doesn’t mind it hot, but the Cape is a bit more sensitive. In any case, your plants are not getting enough light. Lack of adequate light is the #1 problem CP growers have, especially new growers not truly understanding how important this is.

Your sundews should be sitting in a shallow tray of water at all times. Their soil should never be dry. There’s no way to say that “every two days”, “every three days”, etc. is the correct amount. You have to watch your plants and see how much they use. It varies with environmental conditions. https://www.growcarnivorousplants.com/Articles.asp?ID=262

Good Growing!

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