Question

The red stuff   Hi, I noticed there was something red and wart-like on the stem of one of my Cape sundew about 3-4 days ago. At first I through that the plant may be starting to flower but then later on I worried that it might be a possible disease or infection of some sort, do you know what it might possibly be?

I live in Oahu, and the Cape sundew is in partial sun, getting distilled water (but gonna switch to tap water because mom said I can't use it for watering anymore), and its are right now in a mix of 1 part peat moss to 1 part perlite. I had the sundew for a couple of months now.

Answer

Cape Sundew   Hi Edmund,

That's actually a root growing from the stem.  Cape Sundews in their native South Africa have a scrambling habit, and use these types of roots to hold themselves hillsides and between rocks.

Switching to your tap water is going to be a problem for your plant.  The minerals will catch up with it, and eventually kill it.  If you have to use tap water temporarily, water it from the top everytime you water, and flush the pot some.  Holding it over a sink or in the yard will help.  This will keep the minerals from building up too quickly.  In the meantime try catching rainwater (I know how dry it's been leeward Oahu) if you can.  If you have any friends or relatives that live in Kailua, Kaneohe, Laie, or anywhere on the windward side, see if they can save some rainwater for you to pick up if you ever go over to visit them.  The ZeroWater filter I mentioned before could be another option.  You might also check with your school to see if they have a water distiller they use for science.  Almost all high schools do, but not as many middle or elementary schools do.  I use to get distilled water from my college lab while I was a student.

Good Growing!

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