Question

Capensis   Hello, I was wondering if I could completely cut off the visible plant part of my Drosera Capensis Alba, as they are looking sort of weird and I feel that doing so would allow them to focus on growing newer, healthier leaves/shoots/etc. Will this kill my plant? Or is this a normal thing to do for this Capensis?

Thanks so much for your help! I have a photo showing where I'll be cutting.

(P.S. This also applies to the red tinted version of the same plant, the normal Capensis. Thanks!)

Answer
Hi Devon,

Cape Sundews in nature have a creeping habit, so they will grow up, then out and along the ground.  I've seen several pictures of them scrambling along spring seeps on slopes.  It explains the side roots that get produced, especially on the broadleaf variety.  When we grow them in cultivation they will start off upright, but then they start looking like a sickly palm tree after a year or so.

Cutting the top off is fine.  You can easily root the top, and the bottom will send out several new shoots.  Decapitation is a common way to propagate them.

Good Growing!

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