- Fri Dec 31, 2010 5:32 am
#80437
Drosophyllum soil mix
The soil should be very free draining as the plant grows naturally in dry alkaline soils, not wet acid soils as most
carnivorous plants do.
I use a soil mix that contains by volume 1/2 coarse silica sand, 1/4 perlite, 1/8 vermiculite and 1/8 peat.
Seed pre-treatment
One at a time, rub the seed firmly between two sheets of medium (400-600grit) sandpaper until the hard seed coat is
lightly scraped. Then place the seed into distilled water to soak for 24 hours.
Sowing Drosophyllum lusitanicum seed
After soaking, sow the seed onto the surface of a shallow tray of vermiculite and keep it damp / wet and in a warm,
bright place – do not bury the seeds or cover the tray. The seeds should begin to germinate in a few weeks.
Upon germination, immediately move the the sprouted seed to a small (5cm across) *compostable pot filled with
Drosophyllum soil mix. Keep the pot very damp until the seedlings reach 3-4 inches high then gradually begin to
reduce the frequency of watering until the soil is just damp.
Container selection
The best containers to use for final planting appear to be appear to be ceramic or glazed pots, tall terracotta pots are also
suitable. Ensure that the pot is at least 12 inches high and a minimum of 8 inches across. Choose an attractive pot as your plant will spend it's entire life in it...and you'll have to look at it for the life of the plant.
The soil should be very free draining as the plant grows naturally in dry alkaline soils, not wet acid soils as most
carnivorous plants do.
I use a soil mix that contains by volume 1/2 coarse silica sand, 1/4 perlite, 1/8 vermiculite and 1/8 peat.
Seed pre-treatment
One at a time, rub the seed firmly between two sheets of medium (400-600grit) sandpaper until the hard seed coat is
lightly scraped. Then place the seed into distilled water to soak for 24 hours.
Sowing Drosophyllum lusitanicum seed
After soaking, sow the seed onto the surface of a shallow tray of vermiculite and keep it damp / wet and in a warm,
bright place – do not bury the seeds or cover the tray. The seeds should begin to germinate in a few weeks.
Upon germination, immediately move the the sprouted seed to a small (5cm across) *compostable pot filled with
Drosophyllum soil mix. Keep the pot very damp until the seedlings reach 3-4 inches high then gradually begin to
reduce the frequency of watering until the soil is just damp.
Container selection
The best containers to use for final planting appear to be appear to be ceramic or glazed pots, tall terracotta pots are also
suitable. Ensure that the pot is at least 12 inches high and a minimum of 8 inches across. Choose an attractive pot as your plant will spend it's entire life in it...and you'll have to look at it for the life of the plant.
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