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my sundew cant eat bugs

hi.


ive been growing a sundew for a couple months and ive got a question. every time my sundew catches an insect after a few days that tentacle turns brown and dies. i feel like my insects are poisonous. also im wondering if i should removes the dead tentacles or let them be. thanks
 
What is the name of the sundew? That you are growing.

Regards
 
I think he meant species name. for example: spatulata, capensis, etc.
 
What kinds of bugs does it catch? Some bugs, particularly ants, are acidic and will burn your plant's leaves. If you plant just can't muster the energy to digest bugs, then, as quoted by Professor Barry Rice on sarracenia.com,

So give them light!

If you give your plants enough light, simply put, they are more resilient.
 
It would help to know what type of sundew you have as care varies by species (tropical versus temperate, etc.). Also, a photo of the plant and letting us know your growing conditions (lighting, temps, humidity, growing inside or outside, etc.) would help the experienced growers on this forum to identify problems. It could be your sundew is in poor health and does not have the energy to digest food, it could be the size of the bugs it is catching, it could be normal for the species you have, lots of variables so providing more information will get you more responses and help. :-D
 
  • #10
Hello all, I am new here.
I have a Cape Sundew and it’s looks healthy to me but the bugs that are on it have been there for weeks,I am not sure if I need to do something.
I have it under a grow light and it was suggested from the seller to only have it in sphagnum moss and only use distilled water and it sits ina dish with the distilled water and I add water when it’s dry, any thoughts or recommendations
thank you and have a great day
 

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  • #11
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  • #12
Hello all, I am new here.
I have a Cape Sundew and it’s looks healthy to me but the bugs that are on it have been there for weeks,I am not sure if I need to do something.
I have it under a grow light and it was suggested from the seller to only have it in sphagnum moss and only use distilled water and it sits ina dish with the distilled water and I add water when it’s dry, any thoughts or recommendations
thank you and have a great day
If the plant was outdoors, wind and rain would wash away digested bugs. It's no big deal that they're there, and nothing to worry about. Try top watering it occasionally.
 
  • #13
If the plant was outdoors, wind and rain would wash away digested bugs. It's no big deal that they're there, and nothing to worry about. Try top watering it occasionally.
Thank you
 
  • #15
Looks like its doing its job to me. The corpses don't just drop off once digested, they hang around for a long time especially indoors where there is no wind or rain. The carapace is still there but essentially empty, the enzymes having digested the internal nutrients.
Cheers
Steve
 
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