Question
Hi Sarracenia guys,

Does the King Sundew require dormancy during the winter?  I live in zone 9 and currently have a King Sundew growing outside in a 10" plastic pot, peat/perlite/sand mix, about 9 hours of late fall sun, and water with distilled water.

I also lightly fertilize the soil with Osmocote pellets (about 5) and the plant seems to be doing well.

Does this species of sundew require a dormancy or will it just go dormant on its own?  If it doesn't should I continue using the Osmocote during the winter months?  The directions on the Osmocote bottle say they're good for four months, it's been nearly four months and I was wondering if it's time I should refertilize?

Thanks.

Answer
Hi Akira,

Because you're in California, your climate is very similar to what the plant experiences in it's native South Africa.  If you have it outside it will have a short dormancy during December and January.  Leaves may reduce in size, and sometimes they even die down to a hibernacula.  If this happens, stop fertilizing until growth resumes.  If you have it outdoors, I'm guessing it is catching bugs too, so it's had plenty of food.  Here's a good article if you haven't seen it already:  http://www.carnivorousplants.org/howto/GrowingGuides/D_regia.php

Good Growing!

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