Drosera capensis

Common name: Cape Sundew, African Sundew
Family: Droseraceae
Type: carnivorous plant
Light: full sun to light shade
Soil: acidic, moist soil mix

Description
Drosera capensis (Cape Sundew, African Sundew) is a very easy sundew to grow. It is native to the Cape region of South Africa. They are perennial, with linear leaves up to 2 1/2 inches (6.5 cm) long, tapered toward the base. The leaves are densely covered with trichomes (plant hairs) that secrete a sticky sap that attracts insects. The hairs cover the top surface of the leaves and provide a moist appearance that is irresistable to insects. Once an insect is trapped on a leaf, the leaf curls around the insect, bringing numerous sticky trichomes into contact with the insect. Drosera secretes digestive enzymes into this mix when it detects an insect and this continues until the insect is liquified and its soluble contents digested. It is one of the easiest of the Droseras to grow.

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.

Care and cultivation
This tropical sundew is fairly easy to grow in a humid greenhouse or terrarium. While thriving in bright light, direct sun should be avoided unless weak winter sun is used. About 50% shade is average. Four to six inches below fluorescent plant lights often works well. Though the plants can tolerate temperatures from about 40 degrees -98 degrees F, it is best to keep temperatures between 55 degrees -80 degrees F.

Potting
Use a 4-6 inch plastic container; this should be large enough if pots are used. In the greenhouse, 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, the container should be placed in trays with at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water at all times. The lower end of the stem should be buried and occasionally repotting is advised as the stem becomes taller and wobbly. New roots are produced as the stem elongates. Bright pink flowers appear on tall stems and can set a lot of seed if conditions are good. Remove the flower stalk if seed is not desired as a pile of tangled seedlings may result.

Light
Cape Sundews require a lot of sun to maintain their dewy appearance. Grow them in a location where they can receive up to 4 hours of direct sun and very bright indirect light for the rest of the day. Avoid the blazing hot afternoon sun during the summer months. Direct morning sun is best.

If a sunny window is not possible, use 40 watt fluorescent tubes or compact fluorescent that is equivalent to 100 watts. Keep the light source approximately 8 inches above the plant. The light should be on for 16 hours during spring and summer, and 12 hours during fall and winter. Avoid using incandescent bulbs. They produce too much heat and the wrong type of light spectrum.

Water
Keep the plants moist to wet but not sitting in water; do not allow to dry out. Pale stringy growth indicates more light is needed and a healthy plant will have red on the tentacles. Several color forms exist; the green form does not produce red pigment. As with most sundews, water on the leaves is not advised. They must be watered with distilled water or rainwater because they will not tolerate city water or hard water.

Feeding
Feeding is not usually needed as the plants capture small gnats and other insects. In a situation where the plants cannot catch insects, it is probably beneficial to sprinkle a few ant sized insects on a leaf once a month (sufficient for optimal growth). Dead insects work well and are less likely to crawl off.

During the winter months, water should be alternated between wet and dry periods. Insectivorous plants are adapted to low nutrient conditions (they obtain nitrogen, phosphorous and other needed minerals from trapped insects) and are damaged by high pH and water-borne nutrients.

Feeding your plant is only necessary if you are growing it in a terrarium. Giving your plant a couple of insects . Avoid feeding them meat, and avoid feeding it during the winter months when growth naturally slows down.

Repotting
For robust Cape Sundews, repot them every year. Change the soil, and if necessary, put them in a larger pot. Changing the soil improves root aeration and strengthens the health of your plants. Repotting can be done at any time of the year.

If you need to change the pot, go for a tall one that will easily accommodate the size of its roots. Cape Sundews tend to grow faster and bigger when their roots have room to grow.

Propagation
Drosera capensis are propagated by division, root cutting or by seeds, which are typically quite fertile. Sow seeds of Drosera capensis on the surface of your medium of choice. Finely chopped live sphagnum moss over long fibered sphagnum moss works very well but the moss can overgrow the young plants. Finely chopped dead sphagnum or sand also works well. Next, put pots with seeds in plastic zip-lock bags under but not too close to florescent lights. A temperature between 20C to 25C (70F to 80F) works best. When the seeds begin to germinate, remove the pots from the plastic bags and move the pots to a bright location slightly drier that gets a little air circulation to help prevent damping off. Be careful about exposure to fungus gnat larvae as they will eat the roots of the seedlings. The seedlings may be a little slow growing at first, so you must be patient.

Once the plants are large enough you can try feeding them small insects or get some dried blood worms at a pet shop. The dried blood worms can be dipped in water and placed on the dewy leaves--don't feed a plant that isn't dewy. If the food gets moldy, use less next time. A dab of 70% isopropanol (rubbing alcohol) from a small paint brush will kill the fungus.

Varieties
Besides the typical form, three other varieties are available:
Broad Leaf Drosera capensis - Its leaves are twice as large as the typical form. Overall, it is a larger plant.
Red Leaf Drosera capensis - When grown in very bright light, its leaves and stems turn light red. However, it tends to be a slower growing plant.
White Leaf Drosera capensis - This variety contains no red pigment at all. Its leaves are green with white tentacles.

All varieties, including the typical form, produce flowers almost all year round. Each flower stalk may produce up to a thousand seeds, which germinate within 2 weeks.