What are the precautions for growing sundews?
Propagation methods
To propagate sundews, leaf cuttings are generally used, but stem cuttings can also be used. Alternatively, the small bulbils on the plant can be removed and planted promptly, or the relatively simple method of seed propagation can be used for sowing.
Pests and diseases
During the spring and summer growing period, sundews may be harmed by pests such as aphids, caterpillars and cutworms. These pests may all chew on the leaves of sundews. Once discovered, they need to be caught promptly, and insecticides can also be used when necessary to kill the pests.
Sundew growing methods and precautions
Sundew growing methods
Soil
Sundews have low requirements for soil. A soil mix of peat moss, perlite and river sand can be used, or sphagnum moss or pure peat moss can be used.
Light and temperature
Sundews like sunlight, and sufficient light helps sundews develop vivid colours. When caring for sundews, they need to receive light for a relatively long time every day, and they can be placed on a balcony or windowsill. If they cannot be exposed to direct light, bright indirect light can also be provided. Note that when the light is intense in summer, shade is needed to avoid scorching. Sundews do not like environments that are too cold or too hot. The suitable temperature for growth is between 15°C-25°C. In winter, they need to be kept warm, and the minimum temperature needs to be kept above 0°C; keep them indoors when necessary. In summer, if the temperature is too high, they will enter dormancy.
Watering and fertilising
Sundews can tolerate moisture, but they do not have high requirements for air humidity. However, humidity must not be too high in summer, to avoid the stems and leaves rotting. For watering, the soil needs to be kept moist. Generally, the "tray watering" method can be used to supply water, and the water used is best soft water. For fertilising, apply light fertiliser frequently. During the growing season, apply a dilute liquid fertiliser once or twice a month, and pay attention to the concentration to avoid fertiliser burn.
Precautions for growing sundews
Propagation methods
To propagate sundews, cuttings can be used, generally in the form of leaf cuttings, or the small bulbils on the plant can be removed and planted promptly. Seed propagation can also be used for sowing, and it is also relatively simple.
Pests and diseases
During the growth process, sundews will encounter some pests in spring and summer, such as aphids, caterpillars and cutworms. These pests may all chew on the leaves of sundews. Once discovered, they need to be caught promptly to kill the pests, and insecticides can be used when necessary.
How to grow sundews: sundew growing methods and precautions
Although sundew looks like the name of a vegetable, in essence, the sundew should be an ornamental plant. As for why it is called sundew, even the clever editor does not know, but would the even cleverer you happen to know? The methods for planting sundews and their care are described in detail in this article.
How to grow sundews
Sundews are plants that like relatively moist places, such as watersides or moist meadows, which are the places where they often grow. Sundews are rich in colour, and the surface of their leaves bears glandular hairs that can secrete mucus. They produce white or red flowers.
Because of these glandular hairs on the leaves of sundews, they can secrete mucus and look as if they are covered with dewdrops, crystal clear. This mucus can trap insects like sticky paper, and then digest and absorb them.
Sundew growing methods and precautions
1. Soil
Sundews have low requirements for soil. A soil mix of peat moss, perlite and river sand can be used, or sphagnum moss or pure peat moss can be used.
2. Light and temperature
Sundews like sunlight, and sufficient light helps sundews develop vivid colours. When caring for sundews, they need to receive light for a relatively long time every day, and they can be placed on a balcony or windowsill. If they cannot be exposed to direct light, bright indirect light can also be provided. Note that when the light is intense in summer, shade is needed to avoid scorching. Sundews do not like environments that are too cold or too hot. The suitable temperature for growth is between 15°C-25°C. In winter, they need to be kept warm, and the minimum temperature needs to be kept above 0°C; keep them indoors when necessary. In summer, if the temperature is too high, they will enter dormancy.
3. Watering and fertilising
Sundews can tolerate moisture, but they do not have high requirements for air humidity. However, humidity must not be too high in summer, to avoid the stems and leaves rotting. For watering, the soil needs to be kept moist. Generally, the “tray watering” method can be used to supply water, and the water used is best soft water. For fertilising, apply light fertiliser frequently. During the growing season, apply a dilute liquid fertiliser once or twice a month, and pay attention to the concentration to avoid fertiliser burn.
4. Propagation methods
To propagate sundews, cuttings can be used, generally in the form of leaf cuttings, or the small bulbils on the plant can be removed and planted promptly. Seed propagation can also be used for sowing, and it is also relatively simple.
5. Pests and diseases
During the growth process, sundews will encounter some pests in spring and summer, such as aphids, caterpillars and cutworms. These pests may all chew on the leaves of sundews. Once discovered, they need to be caught promptly to kill the pests, and insecticides can be used when necessary.
Care after sowing sundews
1. Misting
Use a spray bottle to mist the sundews. Be careful to spray gently, otherwise the seeds may be washed away. Afterwards, place the flowerpot on the inner side of a windowsill that can receive sunlight. If growing them in a water tray, cover the top opening with plastic to maintain humidity. Pay attention to replenishing water at all times.
2. Germination and seedling emergence
Under excellent conditions, sundews can germinate in about 30 days and emerge as seedlings in about 15 days.
3. Transplanting
If the sundews grow too densely after growing larger, they can be transplanted with the soil. When transplanting, be careful never to damage the roots.
4. Light
Most sundews like sunlight and resist scorching sun, so they can be placed on a windowsill with ample light, and the sundews should receive direct sunlight for more than four hours a day as much as possible. If Northern Territory sundews receive direct sunlight all day, their colour will be very vivid. Less than four hours of direct sunlight may cause poor growth in sundews. Note that sundews should not be kept without direct sunlight for a long time, otherwise they will die. However, if you are growing Drosera prolifera and Drosera binata, then note that direct sunlight should be avoided, and they should be placed in a cool place with weaker light. This is because they grow in woodland, where light is weak. Therefore, this differs from the care method for Northern Territory sundews, which need direct sunlight.
5. Humidity
Sundews do not have excessive requirements for humidity; keeping it at 40%-90% is sufficient. But in hot summer, humidity must not remain at around 90%, otherwise the stems and leaves will rot. If stem and leaf rot occurs, ventilate promptly.
Cutting propagation of sundews
Since the vast majority of sundew varieties can be propagated by leaf cuttings, leaf cuttings are generally chosen when propagating sundews by cuttings. Of course, thicker stems can also be chosen for cuttings. The specific method is to cut off an entire leaf of the sundew, then lay the leaf flat or insert it at an angle into the soil. At this time, the soil should be kept moist and the light sufficient. It takes about one month for the cut leaf to take root, and then we can plant the rooted leaf.
It is said that sundew seeds are very small, so propagation by sowing is relatively less advantageous. Therefore, when growing sundews, we usually use cuttings and transplanting more often. As for exactly how to do it, follow Zhifure, and it can help you reveal the answer!