Date: Wed, 13 May 98 22:11 EDT From: dave evans <T442119@RUTADMIN.RUTGERS.EDU> To: cp@opus.hpl.hp.com Message-Id: <aabcdefg1641$foo@default> Subject: Re: D.cistiflora and dormancy
Dear Filippo,
> I have a few small D.cistiflora grown from seed this winter.
> Now it's getting hot and I'd like to let them go dormant.
> I've read they can tolerate completely dry soil for a long period.
> I tried to dry out four of them but I think they have died: the leaves dried
> out; I checked the root of one of them and found that this too had a dead
> appearance. With them was a small D.gigantea and I'm sure it's dead.
> I know tuberous sundews need some weeks to form the tuber and in that period
> they must be kept slightly moist.
> But D.cistiflora doesn't need time to form any tuber.
Well, that is because it doesn't make one, but it still takes time
for D.cistiflora to do the same kind of thing that D.gigantea does when
making a tuber =--> Both species have to store up their food for dormancy.
They do this by building a storage organ out of carbohydrates, thickened
roots for D.cistiflora and thickened stems for D.gigantea. Many other
parts of the plant, including some roots and most or all stems will be
dead when the plants are fully dormant, so you will not be able to tell
if they are alive or not.
> Any suggestion would be very appreciated.
I would keep the pots incase the plants did have time store something
for the summer. Next time though, I would wait until they show signs of
dormancy and then begin to dry them out.
Dave Evans
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