FlytrapCare Carnivorous Plant Forums

I have a drosera aliciae. And i did read several forums that dead leaves will burden the plant as the plant will use it energy to mantain the dead leaves to stay alive. So what you guys think,should i trim it off?

Should i ?

I don't trim off dead leaves except when I transplant or if I was entering the plant in a competition. I don't think there is any harm done to the plant.

Good growing,
Mike

I never trim dead leaves off of anything anymore, unless it is on a large Nepenthes, as those leaves get really stiff when they die and get in the way of moving stuff around in my terrarium.

The plant won't "maintain" the dead leaves, because if they were maintained they wouldn't be dead. What some people like to do is snip a leaf that's on its way out (though still partially green, therefore still photosynthesizing), so that the plant puts its energy into growing a new leaf instead.

That's a personal choice, though if a plant is young or struggling I'll leave every bit of green I can. I'm more ok with snipping at more robust plants for the sake of pretty.

I tend to snip my VFT's, sarrs and neps, but I leave sundews alone. You should be fine doing the same so long as the dead leaves don't get moldy, or something.

Check me if I am wrong but most plants draw back nourishment from stems and leaves that are dying back. The Venus Fly Trap would be the same. I have read several articles and they suggest that the stem and leaf be cut off after it is nearly or completely black. All the possible nourishment has been extracted, so remove the ugly stem and leaf. Again, check me if I am wrong.

venusthetrap wrote:Check me if I am wrong but most plants draw back nourishment from stems and leaves that are dying back. The Venus Fly Trap would be the same. I have read several articles and they suggest that the stem and leaf be cut off after it is nearly or completely black. All the possible nourishment has been extracted, so remove the ugly stem and leaf. Again, check me if I am wrong.

Yea i did read the article that you say. But who knows ours seniors opinion are better.