Q/A #28 - Drosera multifida Losing Its Leaves

QUESTION:
I received my Drosera multifida in good condition about a month ago. It’s still in the original pot. I'm in Southern California, and the temperature had dipped to about 40°F at night for a time. That is probably the biggest challenge this plant has been exposed to. No frost here. The D. spatula and P. moctezumae x gigantea are doing fine. I’m hoping I can nurse the plant back as it has declined since receipt. From the pictures does it look like there’s hope?
(Submitted in December 2022.)

RESPONSE BY JACOB FARIN:
Drosera multifida rides the line of being temperate (USDA zone 8) and tropical. We've successfully overwintered this plant outdoors at our nursery in Oregon. The leaves died back in the fall and emerged from the rootstock in spring. The plant doesn't require dormancy since we also grow this plant in a heated greenhouse throughout the year. If it's exposed to cool temperatures along with short daylight hours, it will go dormant.

Based on how your plant looks, that's what's going on; it's going dormant. With the cooler temperatures and lower light intensity, it decided to rest for the winter. You'll need to wait until spring for the plant to grow new leaves again. 

If you want it to continue growing in winter, grow the plant in the sunniest window in your home. This plant likes full sun. In its current location, where it's getting less than partial sun (cooler temperatures), it will go dormant. So, stronger sunlight (and warm temperatures) will keep it actively growing. Otherwise, you can treat it like an outdoor perennial in your climate. Make sure it gets partial to full sun when it emerges from dormancy.

• Submitted in December 2022. The original question and response have been edited for publication.
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