Dewy Pine, Erect Sundew

*  A little difficult to find, but reasonably priced
*  Best for intermediate to expert collector, difficult to germinate. 
*  Must be grown in a large terrariums or outside with ideal conditions
*  Dormancy not required

© Richard Davion

These carnivorous plants are native to dry sandy environments near Spain, Portugal, and Morocco, and enjoys alkaline soils.  Every year, it grows through a wet season in the winter, and goes through dormancy during a dry summer.  Blooms bright yellow flowers, that easily self-pollinate. The leaves resemble a small pine tree at first, and are heavily dewed with a red color. A good size plant actually emits a sweet odor, that helps lure prey.  This is an erect woody shrub that grows up to 4 feet!  Puts out bright yellow flowers in the early spring.  Grown correctly, it can be a perennial, but viable to be grown as an annual. 

In September of 1999, I got four seeds from Cambrian Carnivores.  I shall see how they do...

Growing Media:

I plan on growing mine in a mixture of 1 part sphagnum moss, and 3 parts sand.  Whatever mix you use, make sure it is very porous, and allows good drainage. Whatever mix you go with, do not change it after the plant is established -- complete transplant can quickly kill them. 

 

Temperatures:

Can tolerate temperatures up to 100F, but they grow best between 45 and 70F.  Dormancy can occur at high temperatures, so keep it around 70-80.   For where I live, this is a great greenhouse plant for the winters.  

 

Water & Humidity:

VERY TRICKY! Do not water with the tray method like the rest of the Carnivorous Plants. Only apply water when the soil gets on the dry side.  If grown standing in water, it is very doubtful it will live for more than two years.  Keeping humidity very high is also needed.  If your plant is going through dormancy, then reduce the water to make the soil much drier.  The strict practice of keeping the medium dry to moist moist will help this plant to live many years.  After the plant flowers, keep it on the drier side to prevent shock. 

 

Light:

These plants will thoroughly enjoy bright sunlight, provide the best light you can for indoor growing.  The more the light, the more short and compact the plant will grow. 

 

Sexual Reproduction:

Drosophyllum self-pollinates very well, which is good since Asexual reproduction isn't viable.  The seeds should be treated with a weak acid, or scratch the surface a little; otherwise, it could take up to a couple years! If cutting or scratching the seed, cut until you can see the white inside, then sow the seed a quarter of an inch in the medium, and keep temperatures around 70F.  Germination should only take a few to several weeks. To prevent any fungus growth, spray a light fungicide onto the soil. 
Drosophyllum is very protective of its personal space; The plant produce a chemical that inhibits the growth of more Drosophyllum plants (and others) around it, so when the seeds germinate, you need to replant a few of the plantlets into their own area.  However, it hates to be replanted, so dig up the seedlings very carefully, and try to remove it with a large soil ball. Keep the soil moist until the plant gets an inch or two tall, then start applying water after the soil gets slightly moist to dry.  

 

 Picture available at the CP Database, do a search on Drosophyllum.

Last update 07/30/01

Since 2/22/2000