Drosera zeyheri [Somerset West]

Care instructions

How we grow fleshy root Drosera?
In-vitro plants are acclimated in a Grow Chamber with controlled temperatures and humidity. This indoor setup ensure an easy adaptation to extra-vitro condition, guaranteeing the best conditions for plants in this delicate stage. All plants available at the Diflora shop have been acclimatized for at least 3 months. After this first step the plant is brought outside, under direct sunlight with the classic tray system as watering method and so, keeping always some amount of water in the tray. As with the majority of carnivorous plants, we use distilled water produced by our reverse osmosis system.

Lighting:
Full sunshine during the vegetation months, which for us coincide with the months between September and May. In summer It’s not necessary to expose the pot with dormant plants to full sun.

Water and Summer/Winter management:
The fleshy root are a form of defense that these Sundews use to shelter themselves from the heat and dryness of the summer period. During the summer, the pots containing the resting plants, should be watered less than the normal.
With the arrival of cool September we behave differently: we can start watering the pot more, as with other sundews, adding the classic 2-3 cm of distilled water in the saucer. In this way we will simulate the beginning of the rainy season and the plants will sprout from the vegetative rest in a short time.

Substrate:
While 50% peat and 50% perlite is fine as a general substrate, we recommend the Drosera substrate we have developed and tested for optimal growth of this genus.

Seasonality and temperature:
Begin watering from the top, gradually, typically towards the end of summer, without initially leaving water in the saucer. As soon as the plant sprouts, the vegetative period begins, and you can safely leave a finger’s depth of water in the saucer. In winter, optimal minimum temperatures would be around 5°C, but they can also tolerate slightly lower temperatures down to 0°C. Keep the plants in a position where they can enjoy some sunlight. If temperatures drop significantly below zero, shelter the plants in a closed cold frame. Around mid-spring, the leaves will start to dry out; this is the time to stop watering, let the water in the saucer evaporate, and allow the soil to dry out completely. In summer, keep the pots in the shade, occasionally sprinkle some water on the soil during this period of vegetative rest.

Additional info:
For more cultivation information visit our care guides or use our plant care support by writing to ilpigliamosche@diflora.it