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Drosera binata, the Forked Sundew is a temperate Sundew.
Drosera binata is found primarily in sandy marshes and
other wet places of Southern and Eastern Australia,
Tasmania, and New Zealand. It is a tall perennial herb,
60 cm high.
Known as the Forked Sundew, it is easy to see how Drosera
binata got that name. The long upright leaves form a
"Y" shape at the extremity. The erect stems can
reach 20 inches high or more and branched in upper part.
Most forms of Drosera binata in cultivation are either
sterile or have self-incompatible flowers. If the flowers
are self-incompatible, you will need to have two
unrelated plants of the same type to get seed. The
flowers are pink or white, have 5 petals and are about 2.5
cm across. They are numerous on erect stalk.
The plants eat small insects to provide them with the
azote which is lacking where it lives. When an insect
becomes entangled in the hairs, the leaves bend inwards
so that the insect comes into contact with fine, inner
hairs. Enzymes are produced by the hairs which dissolve
the insect, which is then absorbed by the leaf. Only the
insect's exoskeleton remains which blows away when the
leaf hairs uncurl to become erect again, ready for the
next meal.
Hardiness zone 10, (1°C/35°F) in Winter. Drosera binata
go through a period of dormancy each Winter. The plants
will stop producing new leaves and effectively die back
to the ground. At this point it is best to not let them
stand in water or they could rot, keep just damp. Ideally,
during dormancy temperatures should not dip lower than 40°F,
but these can survive colder temperatures. Plants may die
back, but these are very prolific in producing new plants
from their root system.
They require seasons in order to survive long term. They
need a dormant period of about 3 months in the Winter.
The typical heated home is too warm in the Winter. During
the Winter the pots should not sit in water and need to
be kept cool. The entire planter may be moved to an area
where the temperature will remain at 8-10°C / 45-50°F.
It doesn't even mind a light frost. Protect from dry
freezing wind during deep freezes by covering the plant
with black plastic. Uncover the plant when the deep
freeze and dry freezing wind is over.
Drosera binata isn't very picky about soil. It best in
one part peat moss for 2 parts sand in the top half of
the pot, the rest being a regular 1:1 peat moss:sand mix.
There's no need to fertilize, as the plant relies on
insects for food. The plants like large pots. In nature
these plants send down long rope-like roots to tap water
under the sand.
Requires consistently moist soil; do not let dry out
between waterings. Water must be distilled or rain water
because they do not tolerate city or hard water. It is a
good idea to place a pie pan or large saucer, with about
an inch of water in it, under the pot. Elevate the pot by
placing pebbles under it so that the base of the pot is
barely in contact with the water, not submerged; the
growing medium must stay moist, but never soggy. This
will keep the humidity around the plant higher and it
will ensure that the plant has a constant source of
moisture. The humidity should be between 60-80%.
These plants can grow nicely in terrariums, or can grow
outdoors in areas with higher humidity in a sunny
position. They should be grown in bright light, but with
protection from full midday sun. In cloudy coastal areas,
artificial light is a required. When kept outdoors,
somewhere out of the wind will be best. Breezes can blow
the plants over, decrease ambient humidity, and clutter
up the sticky leaves with debris. The plant stand in 2 cm
rainwater in growing season.
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