Care of the carnivorous plant Drosera or Sundews |
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The genus Drosera, family Droseraceae, comprises 100 species of carnivorous plants native to temperate and subtropical zones of Africa, America, Europe and Australia. Some species are: Drosera rotundifolia, Drosera spatulata, Drosera capensis, Drosera cistiflora, Drosera binata. Common name: Sundews. They are small carnivorous plants that have linear-shaped rosette leaves covered with slimy reddish hairs that appear to have a dewdrop on the tip. Thanks to this sticky liquid, the insects are trapped and the plant breaks them down with its digestive enzymes. They produce small flowers, almost always white, that are not decorative. They are used to form terrariums in a living room, for example, combined with other carnivores such as Dionaea. Some species can be grown next to a pond in frost-free regions (Drosera rotundifolia and Drosera anglica). Tropical species are grown indoors (greenhouses or homes) in a bright exposure, with temperatures above 10 ºC (50 ºF) and high humidity (frequently spraying the plant with lime-free water). Species from temperate regions can be grown outdoors and require semi-shade or direct sun exposure and temperatures above 4 ºC (39.2 ºF). The ideal soil is a mixture of 1/3 peat compost and 2/3 sphagnum moss with a layer of live moss on the surface of the substrate to retain moisture. Transplants are done in spring. Water frequently because they are plants that live in swampy areas and need a lot of humidity. They do not need fertilizers. They are resistant plants to the usual pests and diseases. They propagate by seeds sown in spring or by division. |
Images of the carnivorous plant Drosera or Sundews |
 Drosera capensis  Drosera capensis  Drosera spatulata  Drosera spatulata |