Cape sundews are insanely easy to germinate from seed, and they grow quickly! Just sow them
over a pot of moist equal parts peat moss and perlite
and set them in a window sill with bright, but indirect light. Spray gently with distilled water to keep the humidity up. Seeds are cheap and plentiful online .
How do you grow Drosera capensis?
Provide
partial sunlight
(several hours of direct sunlight with bright filtered light during the day). Avoid full shade. Direct sun can burn them, though with determination, the tougher species such as Drosera capensis can be acclimated to more extreme heat and direct sun over the length of a few seasons.
How do you plant Drosera capensis?
Use a
soil mix of 50% peat moss and 50% perlite
. Make sure the soil is completely moist. Use a 4-inch pot if you are sowing a small pinch of these seeds. Sprinkle your seeds evenly over the soil and very gently tap them down.
Does Drosera like sun or shade?
Most sundews thrive
in full sun to part sun
and develop their colors best in these conditions. If you keep them indoors, the best place is a windowsill. If required, use artificial light fixtures to provide light in greenhouses or terrariums.
How long does it take for Drosera capensis to grow?
Sundews can reach maturity much faster than most other carnivorous plants as long as they are fed. Many Drosera species can grow to maturity in only
one year or less
. Some species I’ve grown even flowered after only 3 months!
How often should I water Drosera?
Drosera
should not be watered nearly as often
because they don’t need nor use as much water during their dormancy. When spring arrives, your sundew will appreciate being placed in warmer conditions and watered more frequently again through the growing season.
What is the easiest sundew to grow?
If you’re going to try growing sundews at home, though, I recommend you start with one of the easiest and most readily available:
Cape Sundew (Drosera capensis)
, which is native to South Africa.
Should I let my sundew flower?
Sundews do not die due to the flowering process. The plant employs some energy to produce flowers, but the process won’t kill it or slow down its growth significantly.
It is entirely safe to let your drosera flower
.
How long does a sundew plant live?
Sundews have been shown to be able to achieve a lifespan of
50 years
.
Can I plant sundew in sphagnum moss?
Sundew plants thrive
as potted plants
in a mixture of sphagnum moss and vermiculite or perlite. The pot must be kept constantly moist and an atmosphere of humidity is best for maximum growth.
How do you feed Drosera?
- Beta fish food pellets (crushed)- very good results.
- Bloodworms- Freeze-dried or frozen.
- Fruit flies (wingless is best)- very good results.
- Fungus gnats- works well, but are hard to catch.
Why is my Drosera dying?
However, the sudden
changes in humidity, temperature, and light
may turn the leaves of a sundew plant brown. Too little humidity, very warm temperatures, or too much or little light causes the plants to become stressed, and this stress can lead to permanent damage to the plant or even its death.
How long do pitcher plants live?
Tropical Pitcher plants live for many years, often ranging from
10-20 years
. The plant can take 5-10 years to flower and it will have new shoots growing each year that turn into rosettes. After the plant has flowered, it will continue growing stems. This way, plant will always continue growing throughout its life.
How long do Venus fly traps live?
Each trap on the plant can only open and close several times before it dies and falls off. Then the plant produces a new trap from its underground stems. The lifespan of the Venus flytrap isn’t known for certain, but it’s been estimated to live
up to 20 years and possibly longer
.
How often do sundews flower?
Many sundews open several of their
flowers at once
. Sometimes, you’ll notice one flower opening each day or every few days.
How much sun does a sundew need?
Cape Sundew Care Tips
Sun: Full to part sun, they require
at least six hours of direct light
to thrive.
