
Drosera - the Sundews
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
![]() |
A genus of around 130 species, and an awful lot of them seem to be in cultivation. This wide diversity brings with it a wide range of growing requirements; I haven't tried growing anything like the full range, but I will make some generalisations here about the ones I have. |
|
Two easy and rewarding species are Drosera capensis and D. aliciae, both of which are widely available, and for a good reason. They are weeds! You will soon be cursing them and pulling them up by the handful as they swamp your rarest pygmy sundew with their rampant growth. Fortunately (for them) they are both rather sweet, so you will always hang on to a plant or two ;-) They will tolerate (just!) the occasional frost but do better in the frost-free greenhouse or on a windowsill, if sufficient humidity is provided. A standard mix of 50/50 peat/sand should do the trick. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
The Binata complex. Another easy group, though with rather complicated taxonomy. I think the species in my collection are D. binata (left), D. dichotoma and D. multifida, though they could all be sub-species or varieties of each other for all I know. Whatever, they are very attractive and vigorous, best grown in wide pans where they can spread out. D. binata and D. dichotoma have a dormancy period in the winter when they should be allowed to dry out a little between waterings, and should be kept cooler (but ideally frost-free). D. multifida - I think I have "var Extrema" - likes things a little warmer and shouldn't be allowed to dry out. Having said that, I have subjected mine to accidental frost and drought, but I wouldn't recommend this! |
| The Pygmies - coming soon! |
![]() |
![]() |
|
| The Rosette-forming species - coming...eventually! | |
| Brocchinia | Drosophyllum |
| Byblis | Heliamphora |
| Cephalotus | Nepenthes |
| Darlingtonia | Pinguicula |
| Dionaea | Sarracenia |
| Drosera | Utricularia |