The grassy plant sundew got its name thanks to leaves with villi dotted with droplets of viscous liquid. It includes alkalioid koniin, paralyzing the victim, and digestive enzymes. In the sun, the drops glisten and from a distance resemble dew. Attracted by their appearance, insects inadvertently sit on the leaves and immediately fall into the trap: the liquid sticks together their wings, making it impossible to move. The leaf gradually coagulates and sticky fibers stick around the insect more and more, moving to the middle of the leaf, where it is digested for several days. After its completion, the leaves unfold. They are very sensitive, but the sundew plant responds selectively, only to insects, completely not noticing, for example, falling drops of rain.
This way of feeding was developed in sundews during evolution, since most of their species grows on marshy soils, poor in nutrients. Thanks to him, sundews have the ability to absorb additional nitrogen and phosphorus, as well as salts of potassium, sodium, magnesium.
At home, a sundew plant is planted in a deep pan in a mixture of sand and horse peat with moss, that is, it provides conditions that are close to natural. Since sundew loves moist soil and air saturated with moisture (at least 50% humidity), a terrarium is the best place to keep it, especially in arid regions. Periodically, it can be opened, however, if the leaves of the plant dry out, the terrarium should be kept closed. It is possible to water a sundew only with boiled, distilled or rain water: an excess of minerals contained in tap water can kill a plant. Do not overdo it: water should not stand in the pan, otherwise the roots of the sundew can rot.
The sundew plant loves bright light, but not direct sunlight. In summer, daylight hours should last for at least 14, and in winter - at least eight hours. To extend this time, you can use powerful fluorescent lamps . The optimum temperature for the content of sundew is not higher than 15-16 degrees Celsius in the summer and not higher than five in the winter (except for certain species of plants from tropical zones for which a temperature of about +18 is acceptable).
Like other predator plants, sundew, kept at home, requires feeding insects 1-2 times a week. Deprived of this additional source of nutrition, it begins to languish and noticeably lags in growth from those plants that are regularly fed. Contrary to popular recommendations, many indoor plant growing experts do not recommend feeding the sundew with pieces of meat or pouring water on it with the meat soaked in it — it should receive only the food that is natural to it.
From late autumn to late winter, like other carnivorous plants, the sundew plunges into a state of rest. Her growth stops; the amount of sticky fluid on the leaves becomes much less, and some of them may even die out. It should be watered less, however, the main rule for caring for a sundew remains valid: the soil should not dry out!
The flowering period of sundews continues throughout the spring. Inflorescences are placed on long stems so that insects can pollinate them calmly. Growth in this period is slowed down, since the plant spends all its strength on flowering.
In nature, sundew propagates by seed, however, in indoor conditions, this method is ineffective. You can try to propagate a home sundew by leafy cuttings or by dividing the bush. Perform these manipulations, as well as transplant the plant, should be in early spring. In no case should you do this during the flowering period! The sundew is transplanted every two years.