FlytrapCare Carnivorous Plant Forums

Many thanks for the information.

Now is there a way of supplying the sundew with nutrients in order to speed up growth, since it cannot eat insects without leaves and I don't want to use fertiliser as that's a no go area?

I wouldn't. I don't feed plants that are struggling unless they are struggling bc of lack of nutrients. It has to rely on its root system and whatever green it's got left to photosynthesize. Remember that the primary energy source for all plants is still the sun, even CPs.

That's a rule of thumb with all plants, particularly struggling ones. You don't want to fertilize a plant that doesn't have the means to utilize it. Game over more often than not. You'll want to see active growth before you attempt to feed it. But honestly if it had the energy to produce a stalk it would have the energy to produce a leaf. It's gonna take a while for sure but it's the only option right now. When it produces a leaf, give it an insect to get it going. When it produces a couple if you want to risk maxsea, capensis are hardier to it than other plants.

Hi All.

I had another look at my Drosera Capensis 'Giant Form' stump and noticed another shoot growing out of it.

It is less hairy than a flower stalk and since I cut the other developing flower stalk off (before it grew any further) can you tell if it is a leaf or other flower stalk?

Many thanks.

The photo titled: hairy shoot was the developing flower stalk I removed earlier.

from the pic (at least from what I'm able to see), it does look like a new leaf. Good job. Thats why I never count a plant out until its over. Keep us updated. Keep conditions exactly as they are until the plant starts gaining vigor again.

Thanks Apollyon.

I am convinced it's a new leaf but don't see any sticky tentacles on it.
Do the tentacles emerge later or do they start out clear and then turn red after sunlight exposure?

Sometimes immature leaves won't have red tentacles at all, sometimes its light. Wouldn't worry it right now. It progressively develops its tentacles as the leaf matures. You won't really see them anyway right now. After about a couple days to a week (because its the first one) you'll be able to see them. Eventually it'll throw out multiple leaves. Mine does a few at a time

Yessss that looks like a leaf! You didn't quite believe us that it would come back, did you lol. And no the tentacles aren't there yet, you'll see them there only when it fully unfurls and stretches out. If it's too hot or dry it or too little sun, the tentacles won't have dew. You don't need to worry about feeding yet anyway, it will photosynthesize now that it has a leaf.

My worry is over then.

Should I take the humidity dome (the clear plastic cover)off or is it better to leave it on until the leaf develops fully?

Leave it on for a while, until the growth picks up and it has multiple leaves

Should I remove the lid to feed it (after the first leaf develops) as that is a way to increase growth speed?

I would only feed it if it has more than one leaf with dew, and you can set it outside and let it catch its own meal. It would be a bummer if you fed it so much the leaf died, and it was your only leaf. Remember it secretes digestive enzymes, and feeding does eventually kill the leaf.

But it really doesn't need it at this stage, it needs the sun to photosynthesize.

Hi Adriana,

After looking again at the leaaf today, it seems to be stunted and deformed. It's just under an inch long and looks like it has been twisted.

Should I be worried as it has taken over 3 weeks to get to this stage?

That's not a normal leaf, but leave it be because it can still photosynthesize. I'd flush the pot well, over and over, with distilled water to rinse out any mineral build up. Make sure it's in bright light too.