Question
QUESTION: I have a drosera aliciae I've had for two years so far, it has been doing very well, including flowering several times, until now. About a month ago, the plant had started producing smaller and mutant leaves and these leaves are dying off much quicker than usual. My plant is a few inches tall and has a pedestal of dead leaf material under the live growth that is difficult to remove. I know you guys frown on terrariums but that is what my sundews and butterwort grow in, a globe terrarium (similar to a fish bowl). Since I am in Grand Forks in my college dorm the air is very very dry, particularly in winter. I usually have to even decrease size of the opening at the top because the air is so dry and effects the plants. Also the fans I have running for air circulation exasperate the problem. I am wondering if my sundew is suffering a fungal infection, if that's the case what should I do. I also have less concerning issue with my pinguicula moranensis in the same terrarium. I've had this plant for one year and it is doing fairly well. The only issue is it is not as large as it could be and it is trying continuously to produce flowers but they all fail. The plant did successfully flower while transitioning to winter dormancy, but ever since coming out of dormancy it has been producing failed flowers. My terrarium sits in a south facing window so there is ample sun light, I water them with distilled water every one to two weeks depending on soil moisture, and their soil consist of peat soil mixed with sphagnum moss. Unfortunately I don't have any photos to send, I hope my description is good enough.

Thanks,
Garrett Jepsen

ANSWER: Thank you for the detailed description.  This helps me a lot.  However, without a photograph, it's difficult to accurately diagnose the situation.  Mutant leaves and failed flowers can both occur with fungus and pests.  You will need to look extremely closely at your plants, especially on the underside of the leaves.  This is where the pests will hang out.  You should also look at the soil surface near the plant.  

If you see pests, spray your plants with an insecticide.  Watch our video podcast on the subject:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbRCdJ8ZNF0

If you see gray powdery mold, spray your plants with a fungicide.  Watch our video podcast on the subject:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHDDML-loHc

If you strongly suspect fungus, you should also change the soil. Bayer?also makes a product that treats both fungus and insects. You will need to read the label for this type of action.  Otherwise, Neem will do a good job in treating fungus and pests.

Another issue could also be nutritional.  Mutant leaves and failing flowers can also occur with nutritional deficiencies.  This too can be a problem with closed terrariums.  However, it's very difficult to diagnose in this format.  If you suspect nutritional deficiency, spray your plants with a weak solution of fertilizer, 1/4 teaspoon per gallon.  We detail this procedure in our DVD, Grow Carnivorous Plants, Volume 2.

On another note, humidity is a red herring and not at all a priority for carnivorous plant care, including sundews and butterworts.  We have customers in Phoenix, Tucson, Salt Lake City and Las Vegas who grow tropical carnivorous plants in their windowsill according to our instructions.  Their plants grow very well.  Here's a comment someone posted on our website:
http://cobraplant.com/index.php?main_page=testimonials_manager&testimonials_id=4

I also recommend looking at the photos at our nursery:
http://cobraplant.com/gallery/Humidity/humidity.html

If you need further assistance, please write back as a follow up.

Good growing!
Jacob Farin

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I checked the leave and soil and see no visible signs of pests or mold, so I think nutrients may be the issue since both plants are being affected. So if humidity isn't the issue, than what type of potting situation should my plants be put in? I know that temperate carnivorous plants usually like pots that sit in trays of water, is that true for sundews and butterworts too. I still do have concern over my fans in my room to circulate air (my dorm room gets quite suffy), will the fan wind dry out he dew on sundews and butterworts?

Thanks,
Garrett

Answer
It's not easy to diagnose nutritional deficiency based on the absence of pests or mold.  The only dependable sign of nutritional deficiency is if you see a surge of growth within a few weeks after applying fertilizer.

Pests are sometimes difficult to see, especially plant mites.  You may need a hand lens to see them.  Just like with nutritional deficiency, you can treat as if you had pest problem.  If the new growth looks healthy after applying the appropriate insecticide, then you likely had a pest problem.

Treating "as if" is an acceptable method of diagnosis as long as the proposed treatments are not harmful.  We often apply this method when we get dumbfounded by abnormal growth.  The main rule of thumb is to apply one treatment at a time and wait a week or two before applying a different treatment.

Tropical sundews and butterworts are fine sitting in trays of water.  That is exactly how we recommend growing these plants.  As for fans, keep in mind that in the wild, these plants experience wind, rain and whatever nature throws at it.  A terrarium is highly unnatural, and no where in nature do plants grow in that type of stark environment.  Since I don't know what you mean by using a fan (in terms of strength and direction of use), as long as you're not blowing the fan directly on the plants 24/7, I'm sure they will appreciate some air movement.

For more information about growing tropical sundews and butterworts, including about how to acclimate them to lower humidity, watch Volume 2 of the Grow Carnivorous Plants DVD series.

For general care information, read our care sheets:
http://www.cobraplant.com/caresheets