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Exposed Roots on Drosera aliciae: Management and Feeding Philosophy

A grower has 1/3 inch of exposed root on D. aliciae after cleaning off shipping moss, making dead leaf removal risky. Also asks about feeding and fertilizing practices.

Exposed Root Management

Not a major problem — cover gently with long-fiber sphagnum
Use toothpick to lift leaves, tuck moss underneath
New leaves will cover naturally
Some dew/dirt on leaves is unavoidable

Feeding & Fertilizing Philosophy

Insects = vitamins, not survival food
CPs thrive for years without any feeding
Overfeeding/fertilizing harms more than helps
Only feed if healthy AND no natural captures for 1-2 months
Tiny portions (fruit fly, ant) occasionally
Stop foliar fertilizing — Epiphyte's Delight unnecessary

Current Health Signs

Red tentacles + dew = good light. Focus on stable conditions, not supplementation.

Carnivorous Plants: Drosera adelae Leaf Die-Back: Light, Airflow, and Fungus Gnats; Drosera adelae Leaf Dieback: Spider Mites, Dry Air, and the Cover Trap; Drosera Transplant Shock: Leaf Burn From Sudden Light Increase Is Normal; Fixing Stunted Drosera regia: Nutrition, Pot Size, and Light; Reviving a Declining Drosera adelae: Cut All Leaves for a Fresh Start; Identifying a Pygmy Sundew: Drosera nitidula × pucherella; Reviving a Light-Starved Drosera capensis: Symptoms and Recovery; Assessing Health of Newly Arrived Drosera aliciae; Identifying a Leafless Mystery Plant: Why Foliage Is Essential for Diagnosis; Lucky Bamboo Yellowing: Light, Water, and Root Health

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