Drosera capensis Stalled Recovery: Soil, Water, and Patience

Two D. capensis in LFSM declined after months of possible hard office water. Flushed with RO, moved under 150W CFL (14 hrs). New leaves emerged but stalled half-unfurled for a month. No dew. Asked about repotting to peat/perlite and new T8 lights.

Root Causes

• Hard water – RO units fail if filters aren't changed.
• LFSM – Harbors fungi, poor drainage, worsens mineral damage.

Corrective Actions

1. Repot immediately into 1:1 peat/perlite. Don't wait – poor soil prolongs stress.
2. Use distilled/RO water only – test if unsure.
3. Upgrade lights – T8 shop lights better than CFL for coverage.
4. Wait 1–2 months – recovery is slow; stalled leaves will resume or be replaced.

Key Insight

Plants pause leaf unfurling after environmental shifts. As long as new growth doesn't deteriorate, recovery is underway.