I have planted seeds of Byblis gigantea, but now I think Byblis liniflora would have been easier. Allen Lowrie discusess a Byblis filifolia in his third volume, but I didn't include any of that information here yet -- I'm tried to get a second source on it. 

These plants first belonged to the Sundew family, but now belong to their own family; Byblidaceae. The species in this group are Byblis gigantea and liniflora (and Byblis filifolia noted above)  Both are native to Australia and New Guinea.  

Byblis lineflora grows in the sandy soils of Australia and New Guinea.  Grows naturally as an annual, but can be kept as a biennial if grown in constantly moist soils.  Grows easily up to 12-15 inches, but then can't support it's vertical weight and topples over.  Can easily be propagated when cut from this point, and planted in media.  Flowers are bluish to white.  The wet season is in the summers, with dry seasons actually during the winters.  Grows normally in the wet season, and comes back from seeds the next.  Best grown under indirect or artifical light.  

Byblis gigntea is slightly different.  It's a perennial that grows in Southwestern Australia, and dies back only when the soil gets too dry in the summer.  Is also evergreen if it never gets too dry.  It's an erect shrub that can get up to 30 inches tall, and spreads by underground rhizomes.  Flower color consist of shades of red and purple.  As it grows older, it does lose its uniform shape. Simply cut back, leaving only a couple inches, and treat the rest as a cutting. 

 

Growing Media:

From what I have read, I plant to transplant my seedlings into a mix of 1 part sphagnum peat moss to 2 parts sand.  

 
Temperatures :

B. gigantea enjoys average temperatures of around 70F, but tolerates 40-80F.  B. liniflora can tolerate 65-90F.  

 
Water  & Humidity :

Keeping the soil moist for most C.P.'s applies here as well.  For Byblis lineflora, it is also recommended if you wish to keep it year round.  However, if you put it through dormancy, you need to cut back on the water.  Grow them in high humidity. 

 
Light: 

B. liniflora will require indirect or artificial light. Growing in direct or full sun may kill it. As for B gigantea, some direct light will benefit it, but it can tolerate indirect light. 

 
Asexual reproduction:

B. liniflora can be propagated easily from stem cuttings.  When it gets overgrown and starts to fall over, simply cut the top part down, leaving 2 inches.  Make the cutting into seperate 2 inch pieces, and stick half in the planting media.  Give high humidity, lots of light,  and warm temperatures.  Should take 3-5 months. A leaf cutting can also be placed on damp medium under high humidity and light. Plantlets should emerge in several weeks, and carfully divided up and replanted. 

B. gigantea can be propagated by stem cuttings the same way as mentioned above. 

Last Update 07/30/01
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