Reviving a Dewless Drosera adelae

Question: Bought D. adelae from you months ago—thrived in west window, ate fruit flies. Now no dew. Kept in distilled water, not repotted. Indoors. Recent heat wave? Can I revive it? Lots of fruit flies to catch.

Answer

Hi Lana,

Photo would help. Older lance-leaf sundews accumulate old leaves and look poor. Heat wave could affect if west window gets exceptionally hot. Any accidental dry spell? That stops dew on older leaves.

Transplant to larger pot with 50/50 peat/perlite. After transplant, cut all leaves to ground. Drastic but after 2 weeks new growth emerges dramatically. Great time of year with plenty of sun. Like pruning a rose—results in nicer plant.

Good Growing!
Jeff Dallas
Sarracenia Northwest
www.cobraplant.com