Plants of the carnivorous genus number almost two hundred different species all over the world, among which there is also the carnivorous plant sundew (drosera). She, thanks to her special structure and ability to survive, is able to grow in almost any conditions and on any continent. The only exception is Antarctica. The sundew can even grow on swampy soils, which are almost completely devoid of nutrients, since it gets them from insects. Dewdrop because of this is called a trap plant.
Description of the plant
The appearance of the sundew does not at all resemble an insect trap. Plants of different species differ only in the shape and size of the leaves, but they have in common - thin soft villi with droplets of sticky liquid, very similar to ordinary dew. When an insect sits on a leaf to quench its thirst with "dew", it immediately sticks and becomes as if paralyzed. With weak attempts to get out of the sticky captivity, the insect creates vibrations that give a kind of signal to the plant and the leaf curls up along with the prey.
Having received the necessary nutrition, the sundew in a few days again unfolds its leaves in anticipation of a new victim. True, if small debris or a raindrop gets on the sticky leaf, then the plants will not react. This natural specimen can grow not only in the wild, but also feels great at home.
Dewdrop is a flowering plant that blooms in the spring months with pink or white flowers that later turn into seed pods. Some varieties are capable of self-pollination.
Sundew care at home
Location and lighting
Rosyanka needs long-term lighting for many hours - about 14 hours in summer and about 8 hours in winter. Direct sunlight is not recommended for the sundew, so it is advisable to grow the plant on a windowsill on the east or west side of the house. In the cold season with short daylight hours, plants can be supplemented with a fluorescent lamp.
Temperature
The sundew is excellent and can easily endure a cold snap and even small frosts. In winter, the sundew can be at a temperature of 5 to 12 degrees Celsius, but in the summer, the temperature regime depends on its type. For example, 18 degrees are enough for European varieties, but for African varieties it is about 30 degrees Celsius to create complete comfort.
Air humidity
In the room where the sundew is kept, it is necessary to maintain a high level of humidity (about 70%). This can also be done using a terrarium, in which a potted plant is placed. The plant will receive the necessary moisture if the terrarium is covered with a lid or by regularly spraying the sundew, but with the lid open.To keep the moisture in the container for a long time, its bottom is covered with moistened moss.
Watering
The soil in the flower pot must be moistened daily with a sprinkler, and the sundew should be watered once a week. A lack or excess of moisture in the soil should not be allowed. When dry, the plant will begin to wither, and with excessive moisture, the roots will rot.
As irrigation water, you need to use rain, thawed, purified or distilled water, but in no case tap water.
The soil
Since the sundew in the wild grows on poor soils, in which there are practically no nutrients, its root part is very poorly developed. For home cultivation, you will need a low flower capacity (about 10 centimeters) and a sand-peat soil mixture with a small amount of moss, which will help to retain moisture.
Top dressing and fertilizers
The sundew does not require additional feeding, since it receives its main food from insects. The main thing is that insects in the form of flies or mosquitoes sometimes sit on the leaves of the sundew.
Sundew maintenance in winter
From November to February, the plant is dormant. During this time, the sundew sheds its foliage and becomes inactive towards insects. It is recommended to keep the flower in a cool place with high levels of humidity and away from heating appliances.
Before the start of the active phase of plant development (approximately in the last week of February), you can transplant and update the soil.
Sundew reproduction
Seed propagation
The seeds are planted in a well-moistened sphagnum moss and kept in a well-lit place covered with a film at a temperature of more than 25 degrees Celsius. Seedlings will appear in about 25-30 days. Plants with 3-4 full leaves are suitable for transplanting into soil. The sundew will reach maturity after 3-4 months.
Reproduction by dividing the bush
The bush of the plant can be divided into several parts along with the root and transplanted into separate containers. Daughter rosettes are also planted in individual flower pots. In the new place, young shoots and separated parts quickly take root.
Propagation by cuttings
The cuttings can be placed in water for root formation, or they can be immediately planted in moist soil, which will be sphagnum moss. For good rooting in the soil, the plant needs a lot of moisture and the creation of greenhouse conditions.
Diseases and pests
Since the sundew feeds on insects, it is almost never disturbed by pests. The only harmful insect for this plant is aphids. You can get rid of it by spraying with special parasite agents for flowering indoor plants.
The flower is sick in most cases due to improper care of it. Basically, this is a lack or excess of moisture in the soil and indoors. With insufficient watering and dry air, sticky drops on the leaves of the sundew may dry out. It is urgent to spray and raise the moisture level by keeping the plant in the terrarium.
With an excess of moisture, the process of decay begins in the root part. This comes from the stagnation of excess water in the plant pot. In this case, it is better to transplant the sundew into a new soil and, having examined the roots, remove their damaged and rotten parts. In the future, it is recommended to use only soft water in moderate volumes for irrigation.
If the disease has caught the plant during the period of active flowering, then removing the peduncles will help to save its strength and redirect them to the fight against the disease.
The healing properties and use of sundew
Dewdrop belongs to poisonous plants, and you need to handle it extremely carefully, but at the same time it has a lot of healing qualities. It is used in folk and official medicine. At home, sundew can be treated, but after consultation with a specialist and at a strictly indicated dosage.Choosing a treatment yourself is dangerous to health.
The plant contains a large amount of useful substances that help in the treatment of many diseases and their consequences. Both fresh plants and dry raw materials are used. On the basis of sundew, tinctures and ointments, decoctions and solutions for compresses are made. The list of diseases that sundew can cure include diarrhea, asthma, dysentery, tuberculosis, bronchitis, dropsy, whooping cough, fever and many skin diseases.
In folk medicine, all parts of the plant are used, as well as its juice.
Dewdrop is used:
- To relieve spasms and inflammation.
- For the treatment of the nervous system.
- As a diaphoretic and diuretic.
- To normalize body temperature.
- In the treatment of atherosclerosis.
- For the treatment of the gastrointestinal tract.
- In complex therapy in the treatment of colds, including cough and ENT organs.
- For the destruction of calluses and warts.
Despite the fact that the sundew is a very exotic plant, caring for it is quite simple and even a beginner grower can do it.
How do you know if there are seeds in the box?