Pygmy Drosera Cultivation

The techniques below are based on several years of trial and error as well as consultation with various growers within Australia.

In cultivation they are best treated as annuals with no dormancy period.It is true that in their natural habitat most go into a state of slowed growth or dormancy in the summer months but it is not necessary for most species.Most species can also probably survive for several years in cultivation without a dormancy

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Pots	5 inch standard pot with a minimum of 3 inches.
Light	50% to 100% sun.
Water	Good quality water,preferably rainwater.
Watering	Keep the pot moist continuously by carefully watering the top once a day.Alternatively the pot can be standing in about 1cm water constantly but this is not as good as the previous technique.
Humidity	Pygmy Drosera prefer moderate humidity,about 50% humidity.
Compost	A loose peaty mixture such as washed sand or perlite and good quality sphagnum peat.
Climate	Mediterranean climate similar to Perth,Australia.Hot dry summers and cool wet winters.
Photo period	10 hours in winter.14 hours in summer.
Propagation	Gemmae Gemmae are sprinkled on the surface of compost in pots as for mature pygmy drosera.For a better strike rate plant the larger gemmae (eg Silvicola,Sewelliae,Scorpioides) with the pointy end in the soil.They are also treated like mature pygmy drosera except for one thing.Until they form their first leaves they should be misted once a day. Seed Seed propagation is a lot more difficult.Some species germinate readily from seed such as the D.Pygmae complex.However many species do not. Perhaps allowing the seeds to sit under a hot sun over summer may help as may smoke treatment.Many species will need another clone to produce seed so that fresh seed is not easy to get.For best results sow the seeds in early Autumn onto compost for mature pygmy drosera. Decapitation Some of the tall growing species such as D.Scorpioides may be decapitated and the top planted.This will usually only work if the plant has aerial roots and is in good condition.For example decapitation is usually not a good idea just after gemmae production.Plant in compost as for mature pygmy drosera and keep well waterred with high humidity for the first few weeks. Leaf cuttings These are known to work for some pygmy drosera.For best results choose a young mature leaf, cutting close to the leaf base.Place on sphagnum moss with the cut end in the sphagnum slightly.Keep humid and in shade.

Alternative cultivation

If you are lucky enough to live in a Mediterranean climate then you can cultivate some pygmy drosera mostly without watering.They can be grown outdoors under the elements in bright shade in pots and compost as above.Once the plants are established there is no need for artificial watering.They will get enough moisture from the rain. It helps if you put a tray underneath the pot but it is not essential. This technique will not work if you move plants out from a watered tray in summer as the plants will not be accustomed to the drier conditions.It is best to move the plants outside before late spring.Pictured below is Drosera Omissa which was grown over spring and summer outdoors without any artificial watering.The plant survived for weeks without any rain and through several dry 40+ degree celsius days.Although not as large as the others in the water trays it flourished producing several flowers.It almost always had mucilage on its traps even on the hottest and driest days.The compost in the pot seemed almost always bone dry although there would probably have been some moisture toward the bottom of the pot.The plant seemed to also obtain moisture from morning dews.With this method there is very little salt build up which means you can leave the plants in the pots much longer than you would with the tray watering technique.The watered tray technique is probably the most common technique in use to cultivate pygmy drosera.