Sundew 'Drosera lanata'

Drosera lanata is a carnivorous plant from the sundew family growing a basal rosette up to 10 cm in diameter. This species is perennial and grows from a bulb-like structure formed by the beginning of old leaves. The stirrer-shaped leaves are covered with wooly, dendritic hairs that give the leaves a unique silver color. This fancy, discriminative feature separates this species with D. derbyensis, which is closely related. At the end of the leaves, there are many specialized glands, which this plant could catch insects with and contrasts strongly with a maroon to purple coloration with the rest of the plant. The higher the intensity of exposed light, the sharper the contrast will be. The plant produces a 25 cm long inflorescence between January and March, with up 30 subsequently opening flowers. The flowers are colored white or pink. Propagation is most easily done by separating individual rosettes near the base of a mature plant. Also, harvesting and sowing seeds is possible.

Drosera lanata originates only from loamy soils, and sometimes open forests of southwestern Australia. It grows in exposed areas where water is stagnated in mineral soil. It also grows near the banks of small rivers. For optimal growth, the optimal day temperature is around 25 degrees Celsius. In the night temperatures could drop to 15 degrees Celsius. In spring and in summer this plant could also grow outdoors but make sure temperature does not drop under 15 degrees Celsius. Place this plant in a mineral rich, water retaining medium that lacks nutrients and other dissolved salts completely. Clean peat or horticultural sand are some examples. Provide this species with bright to very bright light conditions such as direct sunlight or strong artificial lights. Prevent this plant from drying out when actively growing. To maintain swampy or soggy conditions, it is possible to place a perforated pot in a tray of water. Always use demineralized water; water containing even a low concentration of minerals could burn the sensitive roots. Fertilizer is best to avoid but it is possible to feed this plant with caught insects once per month.