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The Pink Sundew, Drosera capillaris, is a tiny
carnivorous plant found in the South Eastern USA.
The leaves form a rosette lying flat upon damp soil. The
rosette is about 4 cm across and the leaves are
spoon-shaped. In full sunlight, the plants turn red. The
colour of the flowers ranges between pink and white. It
blooms at late Winter or early Spring.
Drosera capillaris, the hairy Sundew, is covered with
hairs that exude a sticky secretion in which the plant
traps insects. The visiting insects are attracted to the
leaves by the glistening tips of the hairs. The leaves,
curl around any captured prey like a fist. Once caught
the insect is digested by the sticky digestive fluid
poured out by the plant. This unique way of obtaining
nitrogenous food enables these plants to live in soils
poor in available nitrogen.
Hardiness zones 7-10, (1°C/35°F, -15°C/5°F) in Winter.
Grow in bright light. Drosera capillaris does not go
dormant in the wild, but sometimes slows down in the
Winter.
You can use a mix of one part peat moss for one part sand.
There's no need to fertilize, as the plant relies on
insects for food.
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%.
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