Drosophyllum lusitanicum Under HPS: Compact Growth Is Healthy

Robert moved his dewy pine (Drosophyllum lusitanicum) from T5HO to HPS to induce flowering. New leaves are smaller but dewy. He asked if this indicates insufficient or excessive light, whether to add CFLs for spectrum balance, and about foliar feeding.

HPS Intensity = Compact Growth

Smaller, denser leaves with abundant dew are a normal response to high-intensity sodium light—the plant doesn't need large capture area. If it had metal halide, leaves would be even shorter with darker glands. Dew = happiness. Ambient window light likely makes supplemental CFLs unnecessary.

Inducing Bloom

Photoperiod manipulation triggers flowering: short winter days, then increasing day length in spring. The nursery's plants bloom in February under 1000W MH.

Winter Feeding

Since it's not catching prey, feed hydrated bloodworms or mist with ¼-strength orchid fertilizer weekly (morning). Drosophyllum grows fast and has higher nutritional demands than most CP.