Question

King Sundew leaf black   Hi Sarracenia Guys,


I recently got this King Sundew from you, had it for about a month.  I noticed one of the leaves beginning to turn black but otherwise the plant seems healthy.  Is this normal for a young plant to have its leaves do this?  The plant is still very small about 2.5" wide, and I see some new growth appearing.  

It's in the partial shade and gets about 4 hours of morning sun and bright indirect sun the rest of the day.  I'm in Zone 9, Southern Cal, water with distilled water, and have it growing in your Drosophyllum mix in a 10" plastic pot.  I placed the plastic pot inside a larger ceramic pot to shield it from the hot sun.  I also use a very dilute orchid fertilizer (1/4 teaspoon to 1 gallon) which I spray on the leaves once a week.

Can you give me any advice?

Thanks.

Answer
Hi Akira,

Nothing wrong here.  Your plants look fine.  That's just an older leaf on it's way out.  Your care sounds fine.

Here's an easier way to fertilize with this plant:  http://www.carnivorousplants.org/howto/GrowingGuides/D_regia.php
This article talks about fertilization with Osmocote pellets.  We done this, and it works very well.  It also keeps the whole fertilizing regiment very easy.

Good Growing!

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