Question
plant
Hi, my name is Bradley and I am doing a science fair project that involves 52 drosira capensis, (cape sundews), I am testing them in different conditions to see which ones will survive the best.
But moving away from my experiment, I had a question about the plant itself. If the plant grows a flower, does the flower take up energy that the plant would normaly use to create "goo?"
get back to me as soon as possible.
AnswerHi Bradley,
The answer to your question isn't very simple. It depends on your growing conditions. It's common to see fewer leaves when Drosera capensis flowers. This is true with almost any plant. It's simply and indication that the plant is redirecting its nutritional resources.
You mentioned that you wanted to see which plant will survive the best. Ideally you will need to define "survive the best." Are you testing for flowers or for dew production? Both flowers and dew are dependent on specific growing conditions, so you'll need to be mindful about what conditions maintain plants in their vegetative state rather than in their flowering state.
So would a flower stalk take up energy that the plant would normally use to create goo? Not necessarily. If the lighting, temperature and soil moisture are insufficient, then yes. If the conditions are supportive for dew production, then no.
It might be possible that flowers will decrease dew production, but to the exact degree is unknown.
Good growing!
Jacob Farin
