ITEM SPECIFICS
Soil pH: 7
Watering: Always Damp (swamp)
Soil Type: Peat Moss (fertilizer free), Perlite
Plant Name: Drosera Capensis
Sunlight: Full Sun
Country/Region of Manufacture: China

Information:

Sunlight:
All tropical sundews require a lot of sun to maintain their dewy appearance. Grow them in a location where they can receive partial to full sun. A window that gets four or more hours of direct sunlight and bright filtered sun during the rest of day is ideal. Although tropical sundews can tolerate very warm temperatures, up to 100°F (43°C), dew production will decrease in excessively warm conditions despite being given lots of sunlight. Dew production generally resumes when the temperature drops below 85°F (29°C).

Artificial Lights:
If a sunny window is not possible, use a couple of 40-watt fluorescent tubes or compact fluorescent bulbs of similar output. Keep the light source approximately 8 inches above the plant. If leaves are light green and not dewy, move the lights closer to increase the intensity. The light should be on for 14 hours during spring and summer, and 12 hours during fall and winter. Avoid using incandescent bulbs. They produce too much heat and the wrong type of light spectrum. Even incandescent “grow-lights” are inappropriate for carnivorous plants.

Water:
Set the pot in standing water to keep the soil wet at all times. Never allow the soil to dry out completely. This plant is very sensitive to water with dissolved mineral levels of 50 parts per million or more, so use mineral-free water whenever possible.

Soil:
These plants require nutrient-free soil that provides good drainage and aeration. Use a standard soil mixture of 1 part peat moss and 1 part perlite. Never use potting soil, compost or fertilizer. They will kill your plant.

Feeding:
Although some growers like to feed their sundews, it is not necessary. Insects live in most homes, and they will naturally be attracted to your plant. Keep in mind that carnivorous plants have adapted to survive on miniscule amounts of nutrients. An adult plant needs only a couple insects or so per month. If you choose to feed your plant, use recently killed insects that will fit comfortably on the leaves. Avoid putting too much on the leaves, because the leaves will rot. Do not feed your plant meat. Use insects only. Feeding is not required during the winter months when growth naturally slows down.

Repotting:
Many sundews will rapidly fill any pot when they are placed in proper growing conditions. Clip off dead leaves to stimulate more growth. Change the soil, and if necessary, put your sundew in a larger pot. Changing the soil restores soil acidity, improves root aeration and strengthens the health of your plants. You can repot your plant at any time of the year.