A yay and an oops

[Veronis]

Yay:
One of my drosera dielsianas is flowering already. I have only had it for a little over a month and fed it betta pellets (thanks Aaron) 10 days ago.

Oops:
This is what happens when you give a drosera adelae plantlet more food than it can chew (crushed betta pellets) - I misjudged horribly:

Before:

Just after feeding:

10 days after feeding (today) - I'm pretty sure this one's a goner:

 

[Capensis]

Yayoops! Congratulations on the flower. And I'm sure the adelae will come back by roots.

 

[Veronis]

I do have two other sets of adelae roots planted just under the soil that may yet sprout something.

And hey, I learned something about adelae body mass vs betta pellets. Learning experiences are good.

 

[Crissytal]

Very nice on the D. dielsiana flower! Don't feel bad, I've done the same thing when feeding Drosera. It can be especially difficult on seedlings. There's a fine line between too much and just right. I wouldn't get rid of it just yet. It is possible for it to recover, or make a new plantlet from the roots.

 

[Not a Number]

1) never feed more than one leaf at a time
2) clean off remains when the tentacles open. Magnifiers, microsurgery forceps and small watercolor paintbrushes are a must. If you can't find microsurgery instruments (surgical/dental supply) try small eyebrow tweezers.

 

[Halt]

1) never feed more than one leaf at a time
2) clean off remains when the tentacles open. Magnifiers, microsurgery forceps and small watercolor paintbrushes are a must. If you can't find microsurgery instruments (surgical/dental supply) try small eyebrow tweezers.

err, what if its naturally caught ?

 

[Not a Number]

If it's naturally caught you're not feeding it. Clean it off just the same when it's done eating (or if mold starts).

 

[Ant]

Adelae is usually bomb proof, I left it outside in frost and it is still growing. I wouldn't brother feeding it not matter how big or healthy it gets, there is just no need.

Nice flower too, congrats!

 

[Not a Number]

If they are catching food on their own there may not be a need to feed your carnivorous plants. However Thomas Gibson observed in field studies and experiments that "well-fed plants photosynthesize at higher rates, grow faster, flower more, and survive longer"*.

*Gibson TC. 1983. Competition, disturbance, and the carnivorous plant
community in the southeastern United States. PhD thesis, Salt Lake City, UT,
USA: University of Utah.

 

[Devon]

1) never feed more than one leaf at a time

oops, i guess that's why I almost killed my alicea last time with that other fish food..... I did it again a couple of days ago bith beta pellets thingking it would be better.. but I fed 3 leaves.

and congrats on the flower.