Seeds: Tropical Sundews


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Get the straight facts from guys who grow and propagate thousands of carnivorous plants every year since 1995.



This set of instructions are for germinating tropical sundew seeds, such as:

Drosera capensis
• Drosera binata
• Drosera spatulata

  1. Harvest your seeds when the seedpods are ripe. If you purchase your seeds from a nursery, ask the nursery when the seeds were harvested. Ideally, you want seeds that are no more than 6 months old. If they are more than 6 months old, make sure the seeds were stored in refrigerators. Under refrigeration, seeds can last for years.
  2. Sprinkle evenly on a pot of soil. 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. It's a lot easier to sow your seeds in one pot and separate them later after they germinate.
  3. Fungal and mold spores are everywhere and can damp conditions, the very conditions necessary to germinate your seeds. To prevent mold and fungus from developing, spray your seeds with Neem oil or a sulfur-based fungicide. Throughout the germination period, watch for mold and fungus and treat accordingly.
  4. Keep your pot in standing water. Use a tray or a bowl to set your pot in, and fill it up with water. Keep the water line no more than half way up the pot. Use water that is low in minerals. Keep the air temperature between 75° and 85°F for optimal germination.
  5. Your seeds will germinate within three to six weeks, depending on the air temperature. Look for tiny versions of the adult plant. As soon as you see signs of germination, make sure your seedlings are getting lots of bright sunlight. Place your seedlings in a brightly lit windowsill or grow them under strong fluorescent lights. Within a few months, your plants will be large enough to separate into individual smaller pots. If you prefer, you can keep them in the same pot for a truly dramatic effect.

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  • how sunlight and water affect plant growth.
  • what type of soil and pots to use.
  • if you really need to shelter your plants from snow and ice.
  • how to troubleshoot common plant problems.

If you are new to carnivorous plants or have struggled to keep them alive, this ebook is for you. Download your copy today!