Description
Sundews are relatively easy to care for so they are great for beginners. They are fascinating hunters, producing a glistening sticky dew on the leaves, which lure insects. When they land, they get glued to the leaf, and this glue starts to digest the insect. Cape Sundews are unique in that they curl their leaves around their victim enlarging the digestive area and digesting the prey much quicker.
Basic Growing Guidelines:
Light: These sundews need FULL sun. The more light they get, the more intense the colouring will be, and the more dew they will produce.
Soil: Our standard carnivorous soil mix is ideal for this plant. (1 part peat to 1 part perlite.)
Feeding: You can supplement feeding with live flies, bugs, or crushed fish food flakes. A weekly spray of a light foliar fertilizer will also benefit the plant.
Humidity: 50 to 60% on average is ideal.
Water: Keep the soil wet using the tray method but never let the water level get higher than 1/4 of the pot height. Use Reverse Osmosis, Distilled or Rain Water Only. Unlike other sundews, this plant does not like to sit permanently in water. Allow the tray to go dry for a few days before topping up again.
Temperature: Enjoys cool to mild conditions. Happy in typical South African winter and spring temperatures but avoid extreme heat during active growth.
THIS IS A WINTER GROWING SUNDEW!
Dormancy: During summer, remove from water and let the soil dry out completely. Every few weeks wet the soil by top watering, but never let the soil remain wet for extended periods of time. Towards the middle of Autumn when temperatures cool down, you can start weekly watering and as soon as you see growth, place the pots back in water and watch the magic sprout when winter hits.
1 tuber per pot (Single plant)
Active growing period is between Winter and Spring. (June to September)
