Predatory plant sardius: features of the maintenance and care

The herbaceous plant was named after its leaves with villi, dotted with droplets of viscous liquid. It includes the alkaloid konin, paralyzing the victim, and digestive enzymes. In the sun drops shine and from a distance resemble dew. Attracted by their kind insects recklessly sit on the leaves and then fall into the trap: the liquid glues their wings, denying the ability to move. The sheet gradually folds and the sticky villi sticks to 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 oblivious to, for example, falling drops of rain.

This way of feeding was developed in sundew in the course of evolution, since most of their species grows on marshy soils that are poor in nutrients. Thanks to him, sundries have the ability to absorb additional nitrogen and phosphorus, as well as salts of potassium, sodium, magnesium.

At home, plant sundew plant is planted in a deep pan in a mixture of sand and peat with moss, that is, provide him with conditions close to natural. Since sundew does like moist soil and moisture-saturated air (at least 50% moisture content), the terrarium is the optimal place for its maintenance, especially in arid regions. Periodically, it can be opened, however, in the event that the leaves of the plant dry up, the terrarium should be kept closed. Sprinkle sundew can only boiled, distilled or rainwater: an excess of minerals contained in tap water can kill the plant. Do not overdo it: water should not stand in the pan, otherwise the roots of the sundew can rot.

The sundew plant likes bright light, but not direct sunlight. In summer, the light day for him should last at least 14, and in winter - not less than eight hours. To prolong this time, you can use powerful fluorescent lights. The optimum temperature for sundew is not higher than 15-16 degrees Celsius in summer and not more than five in winter (except for certain plant species from tropical zones, for which a temperature of around +18 is acceptable).

Like other predator plants, sundew, contained in the home, requires feeding with insects 1-2 times a week. Deprived of this additional source of food, it begins to wither and appreciably lags behind in growth from those plants that are regularly fed. Contrary to popular recommendations, many house plant growers are not advised to feed sundried meat with pieces of meat or water it with water, in which the meat is soaked - it should only get the food that is natural to it.

From the end of autumn until the end of winter, just like other predatory plants, the sundew is immersed in a state of rest. Its growth stops; The amount of sticky liquid on the leaves becomes much less, and some of them may even die off. Water it should be less, however, the main rule of care for sundance remains in force: the soil should not dry out!

The period of flowering in the sundew continues throughout the whole of spring. Inflorescences are placed on long stalks so that insects can pollinate them safely. Growth in this period is slowed down, as all the plant spends on flowering.

In nature, the sundew is propagated by seeds, however, in the room conditions this method is ineffective. Domestic sundew can be propagated by leaf cuttings or by dividing the bush. Performing these manipulations, as well as replanting the plant, should be in early spring. In no case should you do this during the flowering period! Transplant sundew every two years.