Drosera Filiformis

Sundews are sticky flypaper plants. They bear long tentacles on their leaves, and these stalks are tipped with glands which are often brightly colored. The glands exude attractive nectar, adhesive compounds, and digestive enzymes. Insects that land on the leaves stick fast and are digested. Often nearby glandular tentacles are stimulated and also adhere to the insect, and on many species the entire leaf coils around the prey. These motions are usually slow, taking minutes or hours to occur. An often overlooked aspect of tentacle motion is the fact that a tentacle can bend in just about any direction. But when a bug is caught on a leaf, all the tentacles know the direction to bend towards. That’s pretty cool, scientists wonder how it is done.

During the growing season, Sundews need full sun. (At least 4-6 hours of direct sun for optimum growth).

If growing in a container, keep the pot in standing water and never let the soil dry out. Don’t cover the crown of the plant with water! Use rain water or distilled water for best results. If growing in a pond, keep the water level halfway up the pot. Also, remember to not cover the crown with water.

It is not necessary because carnivorous plants have adapted to capturing insects on their own, and insects will naturally be attracted to your plant.

• Sundews require nutrient-free soil with good drainage. A good potting mix to use is 50% perlite (or sand). Never use potting soil or fertilizer in the planting soil. It will cause the plant to die!

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