Insectivorous plants Drosera capensis commonly known as the

Insectivorous plants

• Drosera capensis, commonly known as the Cape sundew, is a small rosetteforming carnivorous species of perennial sundew native to the cape in South Africa. . Because of its size, easy to grow nature, and the copious amounts of seed it produces, it has become one of the most common sundews in cultivation

• Drosera capensis is one of the hardiest carnivorous plants to grow. It tolerates a variety of soils which low in nutrients. • General growth media, 1 part sand or silica grit: 1 peat or sphagnum moss in 10 -15 cm pots are ideal

• Drosera capensis grow in most sizes of pots. I'd recommend 4 inches or taller, since Drosera capensis can develop a long, branching root system • A tall pot will allow the roots to spread out, so the plant can reach its maximum height.

• Drosera capensis generally produces hundreds of seeds on its own. With most varieties, they will readily self-pollinate. • Once, when fed often, my 'Typical' and 'Albino' forms have produced huge flower stalks, which created around 1000 -2000 seeds per stalk

• In early summer or late spring, D. capensis produces multiple, small, five-petaled pink flowers at the end of scapes which can be up to 30 cm tall. • Flowers individually open in the morning and close by mid afternoon, lasting just one day each with the next one up the scape opening the following day

• Drosera capensis has several forms or varieties, including the "typical", "wideleaved", "narrow-leaved" and "red" forms and the cultivar Drosera 'Albino' • The typical form is noted for wider leaves and the gradual production of a scrambling stem as it grows.

• Drosera capensis uses its sticky tentacles to attract and catch flies and other insects. • Contact triggers a curling reaction, where the plant wraps up its prey and eventually digests and absorbs the victim's nutrients. .

• Drosera capensis need full sun to light shade, with an acidic, moist soil mix. In the greenhouse, we use a soil mix consisting of 2 parts peat moss to 1 part • Sand. • In a terrarium, you will need to add at least 1 inch (2. 5 cm) of horticultural charcoal before adding the soil mix. If grown in containers,

• In the greenhouse, plants bloom in the fall with scapes that have numerous small pinkish flowers up to 3/8 of an inch (1 cm) long. • The flowers are self-pollinating, and when seedpods dry they produce hundreds of viable seed.

• The leaves radiate from the stem and are made up of a petiole and lamina, the petiole being almost the same length as the lamina. The lamina is flattened and bears knobshaped tentacles, which are stalked, mucilaginous glands covering the leaf surface.

• Flowers are open very briefly for a few hours with good sunlight. The flowers can be pollinated by insects, but are usually self-pollinated. • When the seeds are ripe, their capsules open to release the fine, light-weight seeds which fall out and are dispersed near the parent plants.

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