Pygmy Drosera life cycle

Autumn

Life begins in late Autumn from seed or gemmae.This also corresponds with a time of the first significant rains for the year and a cooling in the weather.The days are mild and the nights cool.The young pygmy drosera have good conditions for growth with plenty of moisture,warmth and sunlight.Growth is rapid when you consider the size of the plant , the plant doubling in size every few weeks or so.The mode of growth that occurs with a gemma is at first the main root lengthens penetrating the soil.Once it finds a hold in the compost the leaves start to grow one after another.The energy stores within the gemma are gradually used up and it shrivels and eventually dries as the young plant becomes fully established.

Winter

Rapid growth continues throughout winter.Many new leaves are produced and underground the main root is lengthening dramatically in preparation for drier conditions ahead.The tiny leaves are efficient traps already and catch numerous insects giving the plants a significant dose of nutrients to help with growth.Night time temperatures may occasionally go just below 0 degrees celsius but the young plants don't mind.Typical day time temperatures are around 14 degrees celsius.

Spring

Rapid growth continues as the plant gets to full size,in fact the young plants grow most rapidly at this time with the warm,sunny moist conditions.For many species flowering occurs toward the end of spring if all has gone well.

Summer

Growth slows down as conditions become drier and much warmer.Seed is formed and dispersed.Flowering may be extended if the conditions are favourable with more moisture than usual.For some species growing in drier areas ,dormancy occurs with few if any leaves on the plant.In that case the plant exists as a white shiny stipule bud which contains the sensitive central living part of the plant whithin.The stipule bud shades the center of the plant and keeps it from dessicating and overheating.Often under the intense summer sun the sand surrounding the pygmy drosera may get hot enough to fry an egg.These plants can tolerate a lot of heat but are also insulated from the hot sand by a layer of dead leaves. For species growing in a wetter environment flowering may continue throughout summer.Leaf production still occurs but the plant does not increase in size much.

Autumn year 2

When significant rains arrive leaf production begins again and later on dozens of gemmae are produced at the center of the plant instead of leaves.Temperature also is a significant factor affecting when gemmae production begins.The next generation of pygmy drosera in the form of gemmae are dispersed by the rain.

Winter year 2

A time when the plant recovers from the taxing gemmae production.Leaves are produced and insects caught.For at least some species a new summer root grows to replace last years one.

Spring year 2

The 18 month old plant is similar in size to the next generation of pygmy sundews and follows the same life cycle as them from now on.Life may go on for many more years depending on a variety of factors including weather,animal attack,fungus,fires and growth of nearby vegetation.