Sundewsare popular insectivorous plants that are often grown in homes. They are relatively undemanding and can be grown even by an inexperienced grower. We advise whichspecies and varieties of sundeware best suited for home cultivation, what arecultivation requirements of sundew , and we also reveal proven methods forreproduction of sundewfrom own breeding.
Rosiczka - Drosera
Photo. pixabay.com
Sundew - description of the appearance
Rosiczka(Drosera) is a genus of plants belonging to the family of sundews (Droseraceae), which includes about 150 species.The same genus includes the American flycatcher, related to the sundew, which is also popular in home cultivation. Sundews are found on almost all continents. They can be divided into:
- tropical sundewsnot requiring a rest period
- sundews requiring lowering the temperature for the winter period(European and North American species)
Sundews are short plants that form a rosette of leavesThe leaves of the largest of the Sundews, Drosera regia, can be up to 60 cm long, while the leaves of the smallest - Drosera pygmaea - are about 1 cm long length. Small flowers of sundew grow on long stalks in spiky inflorescences. After pollination, bags containing small and numerous seeds are formed instead of flowers. Depending on the species and varietysundews bloom from March to August
How sundew eats insects?
The leaf blades of the sundew are covered with delicate cilia that secrete drops of sticky liquid. Dew-like sticky droplets attract the victim, which is caught by the leaves closing around herEnzymes in the liquid produced by the cilia digest the victim. After a few hours, when the insect is digested, the leaf reopens. Interestingly, the leaf closing mechanism is selective - sundew reacts only to organic food, while accidental contact with a drop of water or a fallen leaf does not start the digestion process.
A mosquito caught by a sundew
Fig. pixabay.com
Sundew - species and varieties
There are many species of sundews that can be grown in our homes, some of them have interesting breeding varieties. Below we present the species and varieties of sundew that are most popular in home cultivation.
Roundleaf sundew
Round-leaved Sundew(Drosera ritundifolia) is a perennial that usually grows up to 8 cm in height.It occurs naturally in Europe and North America. Also in Poland, it can be found in peaty, marshy positions. It is under strict protection as an endangered species. Round leaves, 15 mm in diameter, set on long petioles, form a loose rosette. This plant digests its prey very quickly, only to reopen after a few hours.
Round-leaf sundew - Drosera rotundifolia
Fig. depositphotos.com
The flowers of the round-leaved sundeware usually small and solitary, pink, white or red. After pollination, bags containing small and numerous seeds appear instead of flowers. The flowering period of the round-leaved sundew is from May to August.
An interesting selected variety isRoundleaf sundew 'Charles Darwin'This variety is named after a famous botanist, inventor of the theory of evolution, who discovered also that sundews are insectivores.
Cape Sundew
Cape sundew(Drosera capensis) - due to its ease of cultivation, it is very often grown in our homes. Native to South Africa, this plant does not require a dormant period. It is very decorative. It grows up to about 30 cm in height and 20 cm in diameter. Long leaves grow from a short stem. A unique decoration of this species are large purple or white flowers gathered in an arched inflorescence.
Cape sundew - Drosera capensis
Fig. Karelj, Public Domain, Wikimedia Commons
PopularVarieties of Cape Sundeware: 'Alba', 'All Red', 'Giant Form', 'Albino', 'Wide Leaf', 'Orange Sherbet', ' Rubra '.
Spoon sundew
Spoon sundew(Drosera spatulata) - occurs naturally in many regions of Southeast Asia, Australia, New Zealand and Tasmania.It easily adapts to various conditions and does not require a hibernation period. It is a small plant that grows up to 6 cm in height. Drosera spatulata is known as spoon sundew because its leaves are spade-shaped. This species produces tall inflorescence stalks with a few pink or white flowers in early summer.
Spatula sundew - Drosera spatulata
Fig. Alan Liefting, Public Domain, Wikimedia Commons
Popularvarieties of spoon sundeware: 'Tamlin', 'Ahipara Grumfileds', 'Giant', 'Gold Coast'.
Long-leaved sundew
Long-leaved sundew(Drosera anglica) occurs in Asia, Europe (including Poland under strict protection), but also in North America. It grows up to 20 cm in height. The leaves are long and spatulate. The plant blooms in June with white, small flowers gathered in loose clusters.Requires a dormant period during the winter.
Alice's sundew
Alicia's sundew(Drosera Aliciae) - occurs at natural sites in Africa. It resembles a long-leaved sundew, however, it is higher than it (it grows up to 40 cm), and its flowers can take a pink color. The leaves form a dense rosette with a diameter of about 6 cm. The plant does not require a winter dormancy period. A variety of this species has become very popular -sundew Alicji 'White Flower'
Alicja's sundew - Drosera Aliciae
Photo. Karelj, Public Domain, Wikimedia Commons
Sundew - growing at home
Sundews require bright light for 2-3 hours a day to grow properlyMany species of sundew do not like direct sunlight (the light should be filtered). In addition to the window sill from the east or west, a perfect place for growing sundews can be e.g.terrarium.
Temperature of sundew cultivation
The optimum temperature for cultivation of sundewis 18-20 ° C in summer and 5-12 ° C in winter. This rule applies to European and North American sundew species. Some species, such as the round-leaved sundew, can withstand even lower temperatures, ranging from 0-7 ° C. Plants should be hibernated for at least 4-5 months. Tropical species of sundew easily withstand temperatures of 30 ° C and do not require lowering the temperature for the wintering period.
Air humidity in sundew cultivation
The air humidity required by the sundewranges from 50 to 70%. Remember, however, that the higher the ambient temperature, the higher the air humidity should also be.After the appearance of the sundew, we can easily judge whether the air humidity is appropriateWell, under good conditions, large, sticky droplets form on the cilia within a few hours. If the humidity is too low, these droplets are almost invisible.
Morning sundews grow bestin acidic, permeable and constantly moist soil. The pH of the soil for the sundew should be 4.0-5.0. The standard mixture is peat with perlite or moss in a 1: 1 ratio.
How to water the sundews?
Wet sundews abundantlyand do not allow the substrate to dry out. It's a good idea to water them before they soak by pouring water into the saucer. In winter, we water the species that require a dormant period less often, just enough to prevent the substrate from drying out completely. For watering the sundew, we use only distilled water, and even better rainwater. Anything else will have a negative effect on the formation of drops on the cilia.
Does the sundew need fertilizing?
As with many other insectivorous plants,not fed sundew with standard fertilizersfor plants. We can give her a live insect, but not more often than once a month. Under normal conditions, the plant will feed itself.
When to replant a sundew?
The species of sundew grow fast and have a strong root system every year, in early spring. Species with delicate shallow roots (e.g. round-leaved sundew) do not require replanting.
For planting sundew, use deep potsat least 10 cm high to give enough space to the roots . Usually, after transplanting the plant, the drops on its cilia disappear. During this time, the sundew should be in a shaded and moist environment. After one week at the latest, dew will reappear on the leaves.
Round-leaf sundew - Drosera rotundifolia
Fig. pixabay.com
Sundew - breeding
Sundews can be propagated quite easily, both by seeds, cuttings and division.
Propagation of sundew by dividing plants- replanting of sundew can be combined with dividing the rosette. We divide the mother plant into several parts and plant it in separate containers.
Sundew propagation by leaf cuttings- leaves or fragments of 2.5 cm in size can be placed on the surface of moist peat or sand, and then covered with foil or glass and placed in a sunny place. The leaves can also be placed with the cilia facing up on the surface of clean water. Once they have taken root (this can take 1.5 to 5 months), the seedlings can be planted in pots.
Propagation of sundew by sowing seeds- to grow sundew from seeds, take a container with a mixture of sand and peat, gently press the seeds into the substrate and spray with water. Cover the container with glass or foil and place it in a bright and warm place. Seeds require a temperature of approx. 25 ° C to germinate. The germination process takes about 2-5 weeks. When the seedlings produce 4 true leaves, transplant them into individual pots.
Sundew propagation by root cuttings- gently take the root out of the ground and cut a 3-5 cm long fragment from the mother plant. We put it flat in the container. Young plants should start to emerge along the entire length.
MSc Eng. Anna Błaszczak
