Propagating Sundews

Wash a planter and plastic box with warm water and bring a large pot of water to a boil. The plastic box should be at least 1 inch taller than the planter and large enough for it to fit inside. Dip them in the boiling water and allow them to sterilize for 10 seconds. This kills all bacteria that could cause algae or mold growth harmful to the sundew.

Rinse sphagnum moss with warm water for at least 30 seconds. Sphagnum moss is a potting medium available from gardening stores and specialty orchid nurseries. Pack the planter tightly with the sterilized sphagnum moss. Place the planter into the plastic box; pour 1/2 inch of warm water around the planter.

Sprinkle about 10 sundew seeds on the surface of the sphagnum moss and press them down lightly with your fingertips. Cover the plastic box tightly with plastic wrap and place it under a halogen grow light. The halogen light should be approximately six inches away from the box. Use a gardening thermometer placed in the box to maintain the temperature between 78 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Move the light closer or further from the box to adjust the temperature.

Watch the planter closely and maintain the water level at 1/2-inch; the sundew seeds should begin to grow within one week to four months, depending on the species. They appear as small, green sprouts. If conditions are correct, at least two of the first six leaves should be carnivorous. Look for tentacles with small droplets of mucus on the tips; these grow on the carnivorous leaves.

Tear apart a freeze-dried fruit fly with a tweezers when the first carnivorous leaves appear. Tear the fly into pieces no larger than the mucus droplets. You can purchase freeze-dried fruit flies from most reptile and fish supply stores. Drop a piece of the fruit fly on each carnivorous leaf, tearing up more if necessary. Ensure the fly pieces are touching multiple tentacles; they should stick to the sundew’s leaves. Repeat the feeding process every two weeks.