What's eating my natal sundew?

Drosera natalensis is a South African subtropical sundew that catches many of its own pests with sticky trapping leaves. The genuine threats are aphids on the non-sticky stem tissue and fungus gnat larvae in waterlogged media. Pure mineral-free water and an inert growing medium — peat or sphagnum with no added nutrients — prevent most problems.

Larvae in the substrate nibble roots and base of the stem; plant may wilt or grow slowly despite good light; adult gnats hover near the water tray Water using the tray method with pure rainwater or RO water only; add a Bti drench; use pure peat or sphagnum moss with no organic amendments; sticky traps for adults

Soft insects clustered on flower scapes and any non-glandular stem tissue; sticky honeydew drips down onto leaves; growth tip may distort Dab off by hand or rinse with a fine water spray; for persistent colonies, apply dilute neem oil carefully keeping it off the glandular trapping leaves

Fuzzy gray sporulating patches on dying outer leaves or spent flower stems, particularly in low-light winter conditions with high humidity and poor air movement Remove affected tissue immediately with clean scissors; increase ventilation; apply Physan 20 or a dilute copper fungicide solution to surrounding media and remaining leaves