Troubleshooting Fluorescent Light Types, Dew Production, and Cape Sundew Recovery

A grower uses 2 cool white + 2 daylight T12 tubes (40W each) plus a 200W CFL (likely equivalent). Daylight tubes seem brighter. Sundews not making dew, just flowering. One cape sundew repotted after trauma — green leaves but no tentacles, not browning. Asks: bulb uniformity, dew issues, flower control, plant viability.

Bulb Types

Daylight tubes are brighter (spectrum difference). Mix is fine; no need for uniformity.

200W CFL Clarification

Assumed equivalent output. Actual 200W CFLs are expensive (>$50), hot, not recommended. Equivalent-output bulbs still produce significant heat.

Dew Production Factors

• Insufficient light (most common) — keep lights ~8 inches above, 14 hours
• Heat, low water, wind, recent repotting, trauma

Improvement may take 1+ months after corrections.

Flower Control

Cut stalks weekly. Only reducing photoperiod to 11-12 hours stops flowering.

Cape Sundew Status

Green upright leaves = alive. Dead plants brown quickly. Tentacles may regenerate.

Resource

Volume 2 DVD for tropical sundew lighting: CobraPlant.com/DVD