Carnivorous Plants - Sundews

Carnivorous plants captivate all observers. The thoroughly designed mechanism for catching prey and its subsequent "digestion" are a fascinating spectacle. Not only is the digestion process itself interesting in carnivorous plants, but their beautiful flowers are also worth attention.

However, most growers prefer to voluntarily forgo this splendor because they are convinced of the difficulty of growing carnivorous plants. Some species are difficult to cultivate and are recommended rather for experts, but there are a number of those that can be grown even by less experienced growers.

In this article you can read about: pitcher plants, what plants need to grow, placement, annual plant cycle, repotting

Pitcher plants (lat. Sarracenia) are carnivorous plants from the pitcher plant family (lat. Sarraceniaceae). The Sarracenia genus comprises 8 species, several subspecies, forms, varieties and, of course, hybrids. Some of them arose naturally, others were artificially bred.

The native home of pitcher plants is the North American coastal regions. Specifically, this is the area stretching along the eastern coast of Canada through Florida to Texas.

In nature, pitcher plants grow mainly in swamps, peat bogs or wet meadows on acidic soils. Pitcher plants need soils with very low nitrate and phosphate content for their growth.

Getting to Know the Pitcher Plant

Pitcher plants are perennial plants. They grow to a height of approximately 10 cm - 100 cm. The characteristic feature of pitcher plants is their leaves, which form tubes rising vertically upward; in some species they may lie close to the ground.

The color of the leaves depends on the specific species and form. The tubular leaves widen upward like a funnel, and at the end of the leaf grows a lid or larger cover (pitfall-type traps). On the lid and at the upper edge of the tube is nectar that attracts insects.

Attracted insects slip on the nectar and fall inside the tube, where hairs pointing downward are prepared for them, preventing their escape. The trapped insect is subsequently digested thanks to bacteria and enzymes.

The most beautiful features of pitcher plants are their drooping flowers with a diameter of 3 - 8 cm. The color and shape of the flower varies considerably between individual genera.

What do sundews need to grow well?

There are many answers to this question, but the simplest one is straightforward - sundews need an understanding of their basic growing requirements. Even sundews that you grow at home have the same cultivation needs as those growing in the wild.

Sundews therefore need acidic soil (peat) with a minimal amount of nutrients. Bogs are usually exposed to direct sunlight, so place your "domestic" sundews in a location with plenty of direct sun exposure.

Perhaps the most important requirement is the alternation of warm summers and cold winters.

Placement of sundews

Place sundews in a bright location with plenty of direct sunlight. The amount of sunlight hitting the plant leaves affects their coloration - the more sun, the more colorful the leaves will be.

Strong direct sun colors the leaves of most sundews in shades of red, yellow or purple. Conversely, lack of light will lead to the formation of long, weak leaves that won't be very attractive.

Indoors, place sundews on a south-facing windowsill or under fluorescent lighting; a better location during summer is definitely outdoors. Sundews can manage with normal air humidity around 40 - 50%.

Suitable substrate for sundews

The right substrate plays a vitally important role in the life of carnivorous plants. Sundews require an acidic substrate low in nutrients. The plant obtains necessary nutrients by "eating" its prey, to which its root system has adapted - it cannot absorb nutrients from the soil.

A suitable substrate for growing sundews is a mixture of coarse fibrous peat, perlite and horticultural sand in a ratio of approximately 2:1:1. Using regular horticultural substrate is usually fatal for sundews. Sundews die due to excess nutrients.

Water is essential for sundews

Water is equally important. Sundews are accustomed to plenty of water, so the pots in which you grow them must constantly stand in approximately 2-3 cm of water.

A simple solution is to place the pots with plants in deep saucers with water. The substrate must never dry out completely during summer. Root sensitivity affects not only the choice of substrate, but also the water for watering.

Sundews should be watered with "natural" water, preferably rainwater. Tap water is chlorinated and toxic to most sundews.

Annual Cycle of Sundews

In nature, sundews are accustomed to the alternation of warm summer and cold winter periods. This annual cycle must be respected when growing them in our conditions as well. It's important to maintain proper temperature, which should range between 20 - 30°C during summer.

The winter rest period, professionally called "dormancy", accompanied by reduced temperature, should last at least 3 months. During this time, sundews need temperatures between 5 - 7°C. The place in the apartment where the required temperature is stable throughout the year is the refrigerator.

If you don't have another "suitable" place for overwintering sundews, don't worry and place the plants in the refrigerator. You don't need to feed them salami. Sundews cannot be placed in the refrigerator without preparation.

Allow the substrate to dry out before placing it in the refrigerator to prevent the plants from rotting. After removing sundews from the refrigerator, flowering will be induced soon. Plants removed from the refrigerator should be watered and grown in the usual way.

Repotting Sundews

Sundews should be repotted at least every two years. Don't bury the rhizomes, place them level with the substrate surface to more easily avoid their rotting.

Plant them in sufficiently large pots so they have enough space. When handling the plants, be careful with their roots, as they are sensitive to damage. New roots grow relatively slowly.

Allow repotted plants to acclimatize in partial shade.

Propagating Sundews

Sundews are propagated by two basic methods - from seeds and by division. Growing sundews from seeds is more time-consuming, but if you don't have a mother plant with offsets, you have no other choice.

When sowing, respect all the rules for growing adult plants, try to keep the seedlings free from molds that could destroy young plants. Propagation using offsets is best done during repotting. Separate offsets from the plants that already have roots, they will establish better after planting.

Diseases and Pests Affecting Sundews

Sundews are most commonly attacked by aphids, which feed on new traps, and scale insects that suck plant juices. Treat affected plants with the gentlest possible remedies.

Wishing you success in growing carnivorous sundews - Lenka Z