SOUTH AFRICAN RED CAPE SUNDEW, Drosera capensis

This Sundew is easy to grow! This red leaf form is very distinctive, with deep-red leaves! Very attractive, especially in the sun, the red Sundew hairs are covered in a sticky sap. Once an insect is attached, the leaves curl around the insect to digest it! These plants are most often grown indoors where they can be admired (and help rid the fly population) though they are hardy outdoors in zones 8-10. Grow plants in a bright location, but out of direct hot midday sun. Plant in a mixture of 30% sand and 70% peat moss. Plants never need fertilizer as they obtain their nutrient from the insects that they digest. Watering should be done with rain water or bottled water, as they dislike municipal treated water.

Note: These seeds are extremely tiny! It's just how they naturally are. Reading glasses are recommended to aid with seeing them, even for those who don't normally require glasses to read. The seeds are shipped in either a wax envelope, or folder within a small paper. Open carefully, and sprinkle onto the growing medium. Do not bury the seeds. Germination information is below.

Seeds per pack: 3

Germination: Sprinkle the tiny seeds on top of the growing medium. Do not cover them. Use a mixture of 30% sand and 70% peat moss. Cover the container with plastic to retain moisture. Place the container in very bright light at room temperature. Once the small plants begin to grow, slowly open the plastic a little each day. Use rain water or bottled water (use a spritz bottle while plants are small) to regularly water plants, but do not leave them standing on water. Generally seeds germinate anywhere from 1 to 3 months, though keep the planting mix as some straggler seeds can take up to a year.