Growing Carnivorous Plants E4: Tropical Sundews

This episode of GCP will show you how to grow tropical Sundews! Watch as we look into what makes a Drosera "tropical", how the community grows them, what soil/water the plants prefer, and how to properly acclimate the octopus plants to their new home!
Species in this video:
Drosera Capensis "Typical"
Hypnotic Exotics is the go-to channel for carnivorous plant care information, tutorials, and updates regarding my botanical endeavors. You can watch the carnivorous plants eating, growing, propagating, and breeding all in one place!
I've done my best to keep the information accurate, but please let me know of any discrepancies!
For photos of my collection and BTS content, follow Hypnotic Exotics on Instagram and Facebook !
Facebook: @HypnoticPlants
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Purchase your supplies through these links to support the channel! These are literally the EXACT products that I use!
Peat Moss
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Quartz Sand
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Perlite
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Sphagnum Moss
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LED Panel
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LED Spot/Flood Light
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Grow Rack
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R/O Unit
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TDS Meter
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Fertilizer
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Plant Food (These two are mixed in a 1:1 ratio, blended, and hydrated with R/O water before feeding)
Pellets
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Bloodworms
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#HypnoticExotics #CarnivorousPlants #ExoticPlants #PlantLove

[@codylujan]

sundew: *grows all over the earth in every condition* also sundew: dies on my lanai

[@spcoregon906]

Same here I had a sundew named "Jerry” since my mom did not read the directions for some reason all that remains is sad devil horns

[@kurtlawrence4879]

Australia here, saw soo many sundews on a trek

[@HypnoticExotics]

I'm deeply envious.

[@dayla8634]

I live in Japan. Summers here are perfect for these plants. Winters here not so much, but they still survive even when covered in snow.

[@grandtheftgameryt]

I have grown a VFT, Sarracina and am now growing a sundew in a window cill. They all are doing great, the vft making it’s first flower too. I’m loving this growing experience and hope to grow even more in the future

[@josed.marcano1588]

can you post a video about creating a bioactive vivarium, where you discuss the pro and cons, and type of inhabitants you'd recommend for pitcher plants. I'm doing tropical myself and struggling. Thanks keep up the awesome work.

[@HypnoticExotics]

Hey Jose! I put together a terrarium in E1 of "Growing Carnivorous Plants." It's not bioactive at this time. But I can do a follow up video introducing springtails and maybe some micorrizae. That should tick the box.

[@duskmoss]

Jose D. Marcano he is filming today

[@reneevanderwal3825]

This came in handy since I just got a capensis and a binata. I'm new to these plants, so thank you for your help

[@juhlsghouls]

Just got a sundew and I’m growing it on a window sill, can’t wait to see it grow!

[@bentley5860]

After seeing this video im inclined to get one, How is yours doing throughout these pst few months?

[@ryann2515]

Very helpful. I definitely learned some new stuff. I’m starting to collect more sundews

[@HypnoticExotics]

Thanks Emerald! Happy to share the knowledge. Best of luck with the Sundews, super rewarding plants!

[@tianyushen6876]

You make great videos (not just the content but actually how you produced the video) - the text is very helpful for foreigners to follow! Thank you.

[@HypnoticExotics]

Thank you! That's VALUABLE information as I was considering changing the format in the future to omit some of the text-heavy sections. But your comment has changed my mind. ❤️

[@marieb3630]

I like that he asked for corrections if needed. It's nice to see people understand they like to grow and learn from other plant enthusiasts.

[@beckylovesyou]

Love your videos. So informative!

[@wisans.5085]

Happy to learn this plant.from South of Thailand.

[@rinrin6909]

The video is amazing and very informative. I have a general idea about this type of plant but with help from the video, I can show to my friends that are new to this plant without overwhelming or bore them with the caring info.

[@HypnoticExotics]

So nice of you, glad it was helpful!

[@StrangeGarage]

Excellent video. You'll have a successful channel. Just keep at it man.

[@contessa.adella]

I use ericaceous compost and my D. Capensis is currently enjoying an eight inch dia goldfish bowl with the soil about two inches deep. A transparent lid pushes the humidity way up and I feed it on ham and cheese. The plant is about five inches across and very healthy.

[@oliviereilering]

very good videos i love them thank you!

[@HypnoticExotics]

Thank YOU!!

[@jonathanbrown4465]

Very useful short introduction to the hobby.I dont know if you've done similar for other types of carnivorous plants but it would be very useful it you have. Thanks for taking the trouble to do this.

[@lenoraw8985]

❤❤❤ very helpful thank you😁

[@HypnoticExotics]

You're welcome 😊

[@king2days375]

Thanks very e.i.starting my collection of carnivorous plants soon!

[@HypnoticExotics]

Wonderful! It's one of the most rewarding pursuits I've ever found. Happy growing!

[@Daayworld]

Same 💕 how’s yours doing.

[@dennisrichards7994]

I have a tip for you , try feeding them . I have grown many types of Sundews over the years and i have found they really respond well to feeding and will grow twice as fast , even a weak seedling will respond well , what i do is get frozen meat ( red meat if possible ) and get a sharp knife and scrap it into a saucer and if to dry i ad a bit of moisture and mix it until it becomes a soft paste , i then smear it on the glands of the sundew leaf , you only need a little on each leaf , this really works well...

[@HypnoticExotics]

RED MEAT? You're following in Darwins footsteps!! I feed mine(all my carnivores) a blend of fish food and freeze-dried blood worms. It gets powdered, and hydrated prior to feeding. I prefer it as the mixture rots less often than insects.

[@danfromcarniculture943]

One of the best sundew videos I have ever seen

[@HypnoticExotics]

That means a TON Daniel! Happy you enjoyed it!

[@danfromcarniculture943]

@@HypnoticExotics follow my Instagram and dm me. @carniculture I will mail you some plants free of charge if you would like

[@HypnoticExotics]

Done, thanks!

[@y0sh1js12]

I have been growing nephentes on my Windowsill, and wanted to expand on carnivorous plants because of Sciaridae that have nested in my plants. Thanks for the guide, they will have lots to eat, once i get some Tropical Sundews.

[@veerakesarigameplay5740]

Y0sh

[@chrisreynolds2565]

Great video! I'd love something on base VFT care if thats an idea you have been pondering!

[@HypnoticExotics]

Your wish has been granted. 9.18.20 ❤️

[@TEX474]

Talk about the other Droseras variations. I would like to have video about Queensland Drosera and Heliamphoras

[@martinkullberg6718]

Today I repotted some of my plants from the garden center, (they sell carniv-plants) , also I put some of the baby sundew invasion in a new pot, last year, a big sundew had flowers and after dying a bit, now sprouts infiltrated all over my other carniv-plants! 😅 I have these plants for 1 year now.

[@DemstarAus]

I've just sprouted sundews from seed and am planning to put them in open terrariums on our warm sunny kitchen windowsill. It's where I sprout all my seeds and they seem to like it. I'm hoping that they like it there too... and they get flies because that's where they seem to get in.

[@sashathums5073]

Thank you SO much! Im going to use this method with my new carnivorous plants coming in! I had no idea about peat moss being hard to saturate after planting. I bet thats where i went wrong the last time.

[@HypnoticExotics]

You are so welcome! Peat moss is a weird thing, especially since it comes from water-loving sphagnum. Best of luck with your planty endeavors!

[@raven5144]

I love the look of D. Spatulata (spoon-leaved sundew) I want to put one in my tropical terrarium. Would that work out or is my ABG tropical substrate mix not ok for it?

[@Cleeon]

I'm new here and I see details from your video, I will try it when have time and I'm already have a drosera capensis

[@duskmoss]

Cleeon Virlief if you are not subbed to him then you might want to know that he is filming today

[@Cleeon]

@@duskmoss hmm..ok, thanks for remind me :)

[@HypnoticExotics]

Fax. SOOOOON

[@bonnieford267]

I have a carnivorous plant, have in south window, keep in a bowl with plastic cover that I cut a hole in the size of plant container, keep water in it all the time

[@redisguise]

hi, could you give me a little guide? my pot of sundrew got all withered recently, someone told me they go dormant if the temperature got above 30 C, is this true? and how will they pass winter time? thx

[@lysandrady2352]

Thank you for this video! Can I put the sundew with humidity of 45% ?

[@Cleeon]

ok, now is the time to rise up a sundew ;)

[@HypnoticExotics]

SUPER rewarding. With the way they grow, you'll have tons in no time.

[@BukuiZhao]

1:03 you can see the snap tentacles

[@BukuiZhao]

0:56 you saw that sandrosoni? they live in water bladderwort

[@thegrumpyhorticulturist]

I'm just putting mine in my white fly and fungus gnat riddled monstera pot in the bathroom and hoping for the best

[@daveed469]

Should I remove my droseras from the window cill at night? I live in an area with street lights next to the windows

[@Adrevenue1331]

So I'm going to be growing a Drosera Capensis and the soil bit seems a little complicated, and I want to know if natural sun is better tan artificial light. Also, any tips on the limits of a D. Capensis is very helpful, especially humidity. Thanks!

[@chokethewoke746]

Is spring water ok?

[@tashalousdadful]

Hi. Great video! I have a drosera capillaris potted with live moss at the top. I believe it retains a ton of moisture keeping it the soil soggy using the tray method. Should I give it a day or 2 between watering? The large capillaris is doing good. The smaller one next to it has a little brown on the leaves. I'm thinking over watering. Thank you.

[@Obliv69]

keep it moist but not boggy wet. but dont ever let it dry out completely. how long between waterings really depends on the climate its in.

[@xiaoyisun9331]

if my sundew becomes not sticky, does it mean something is going wrong? thanks!!!

[@Anatoly_Panchenko]

what you are using to control the rot on sundews? fungicides? hydrogen peroxide?

[@BukuiZhao]

I have rotundiflora

[@BukuiZhao]

0:39 intro starts

[@dionysos4288]

Ill be honest i love this plant one downside i don’t have the money for this and definitely not the climate (Netherlands) still interesting when i’m older i will work to get a lamp and greenhouse thx for this video so i know if i should have started ill save it for later

[@iyisusi9506]

You can grow D. Capensis in a bag like he did for years on a sunny windowsill. If leave it closed you don't have to water it or care about humidity. You can probably get these plants at your local hardware store for very little money. They are one of the easiest carnivorous plants to culture.

[@captainweird1822]

I’m going to be making a palladarium (a semi-aquatic terrarium. Basically half is underwater) and I was thinking of having a sundew growing in the terrestrial portion of the enclosure. I do have a concern however. It’s going to be vertical, with a waterfall, that is the outflow of the filter, and doubles as the means of the terrestrial plants to get watered. Is there any chemicals, or by products that come off of this plant, that could potentially get in the water and harm the fish I intend to keep in it? It’s a really neat plant, o just don’t know the likelihood of the syrup getting into the water

[@BukuiZhao]

I have burmanlii

[@MenacingRabbit]

So I did exactly as you instructed on your video sir, my only concern is that my small terrarium is 12x12x and 15inch height and I have no moving air in my seedlings. Do I need to uncover the top or how do I expose it to fresh air?

[@Obliv69]

if its a plastic one you may be able to lift up the bottom of the plastic letting air in from underneath, or if it has a zip undo the zip a bit

[@ndychua]

Can you talk about Sphagnum Moss versus Peat Moss!

[@Elvirameeee]

Sphagnum moss is not sustainable, peat moss is a less harmful option

[@dottie5686]

They are the same except peat moss is just decomposed sphagnum moss

[@Matteo_youtube]

Will these plants do good for inside

[@HypnoticExotics]

Heck yeah! I grow all of my sundews indoors, save for a couple hitchikers that came with my sarracenia and dionaea.

[@MaxItUpwithMarta]

sorry for the ignorant question but when you say soil are you talking about the peat moss mixture or potting soil?

[@duskmoss]

Max It Up with Marta moss mixture

[@HypnoticExotics]

Dusk is correct!

[@adamp146]

Is there other ways of feeding it besides giving it bugs? Can it survive off water alone or plant food?

[@Obliv69]

they do not need bugs to survive. they will live very well on rain water and plenty of direct sunlight. When carnivore plants do well they will catch their own bugs as a nutrient boost. for example a sick fly trap will have slow or inactive traps. a healthy one will react quickly. do not fertilise them, they live in a nutrient poor environment and cannot use the nutrients. for many CPs it actually kills them

[@Meskarune]

I have an indoor herb garden with plant lights and I keep getting a lot of fungus gnats. What sort of carnivorous plant can I grow with the herbs that is easy to care for and will eat the gnats?

[@HypnoticExotics]

Carnivorous plants are evolved to attract insects. I'd recommend a thicc layer of sand on the top of the soil to deter the little buggers

[@zay_rat8942]

I’ve heard that pinguicula’s can help with fungus gnats but I’m not entirely sure

[@BukuiZhao]

I want to grow an drosera burmanlii

[@HypnoticExotics]

Do it. They're hungry buggers.

[@helenemink8466]

When do you feed the baby plant?

[@HypnoticExotics]

As soon as it produces dew. Just be careful not to overfeed.

[@jewiesnew3786]

can you do a video on how to induce vft dormancy for tropical growers?

[@HypnoticExotics]

For sure, given there is a large enough demand for such content.

[@jewiesnew3786]

@@HypnoticExotics thanks, I actually found out dormancy is not really needed if growing from the tropics.

[@HypnoticExotics]

@@jewiesnew3786 Are you saying that you don't need to provide a dormancy IF you're growing in the tropics? Or that tropical plants don't need a dormancy?

[@jewiesnew3786]

@@HypnoticExotics Those experts from ICPS said: ''providing dormancy for your plants is a waste of time if there's no winter''. If you read their guide on the ICPS site they kind of imply ''vfts go dormant only to survive a winter''. So maybe dormancy is not essential.

[@HypnoticExotics]

@@jewiesnew3786 That's the first time I've ever heard something like that regarding temperate plants, though I've only be doing this for 10 years or so. Thanks for sharing nonetheless, I will definitely look into that!

[@zaiaisho6409]

I hear people pronounce it "Drow-Sarah" all the time, where I pronounce it "Draw-Sarah"... so... Ta-mate-o, Toe-mot-o

[@eileenybanez8830]

I only knew today how I should water it. I'm so afraid my plant wi die..i hope i can show you my plant so u can check if this is going to live.

[@HypnoticExotics]

I don't do personal consultations, though there are some AWESOME communities on Facebook! You'd have the best chance with the ICPS(International Carnivorous Plant Society) group as it's the most populated. Best of luck with your plant ❤️

[@AJediSurvivor]

Distilled or rain water

[@REEE-ui4cy]

Where can i get the outlet timer?

[@HypnoticExotics]

Ace, Lowes, Home Depot, Walmart, and Target are all places I've found them sold. Amazon works too, though it's a "tad" more expensive. Hope that helps!

[@REEE-ui4cy]

Ok thanks

[@brandong530]

What do you mean by you weed?

[@Reznight]

Where can I purchase one

[@duskmoss]

Rez night curios plants

[@codylujan]

etsy

[@andreym717]

Sorry, but Drosera Capensis is originally from the Cape region in South Africa, where the climate is Mediterranean, which is not tropical. Why is it considered as a tropical sundew then? Also this means that it actually can grow outside for example in Southern Europe( since it also has mainly a Mediterranean climate).

[@racoonplont]

I recently bought one of these and all of the ends are withering. Trying to figure out what I did 😂

[@Maliceking]

Same here. What I’ve found is that they take a couple of weeks to reacclimatize and settle from the shock of changing surroundings or being shipped to your home.

[@racoonplont]

Quentin The Fawn oh, at least it may not have been me then!

[@user-ul6wv7zr4p]

How is it doing?

[@racoonplont]

Котик Милый thanks for asking. The plant just started going black, so I covered it with a clear see-through plastic dome to try and increase the humidity. It looks like most of the plant is now dead, but there's one little baby plant still there.🌱 I'm still standing the pot in distilled water up to about an inch from the top and tried repotting but it didn't seem to help...

[@user-ul6wv7zr4p]

Cherry and Lantern aw, I hope it will eventually recover. I just received my venus fly traps from amazon, and they came in horrible conditions - I don’t know if they will survive. Might drop in an update😂

[@djdedan]

my sundews grow like weeds lol

[@HypnoticExotics]

I feel that. I bet you find seedlings everywhere!

[@idreadFell365]

Is it possible to plant it out doors with alot of soil?

[@duskmoss]

Idread ? Look up a bog garden

[@HypnoticExotics]

What Moss said.

[@tsarnicolasii1228]

They arnt just tropical, I've found them in the Adelaide Hills region, which has frequent frosts. Adelaide itself is not tropical.

[@justicecountryman4060]

He said that.

[@aidenstankiewicz4411]

Do you happen to sell any carnivorous plants?

[@duskmoss]

Aiden Stankiewicz other people do like cuorious plants

[@HypnoticExotics]

No, though I very well may do so in the future.