Description
Drosera occidentalis “narrow white petals” is a tiny species of Pygmy Sundew that can be quite variable and diverse. It has round lamina on very thin petioles, with white fuzzy stipules in the center of the plants. Then plants readily turn a bright red color under bright light. The flowers can vary from a white to salmon color. This specific form that I am calling “narrow white petals” originally came to me as Drosera microscapa, but does not match the species description despite narrower petals than typical occidentalis (also lacking a singular bract). The rosettes are some of the tiniest of all sundews, reaching around 3/8” in diameter and the flowers might be the smallest I’ve seen. A true pygmy among pygmies.
As a pygmy sundew, it will produce ‘gemmae’ which are tiny modified leaves that appear as geometric circles of buds in the center of the growing point each fall. Each gemma can detach from the main plant and rapidly grow into a new plant (much faster than planting seed).
Drosera occidentalis produces tiny, flattened gemmae. Adjust the photoperiod to be 9-10 hours in winter, gradually cycling to 14-15 hours in summer. They require proper lighting cues to produce gemmae and to flower in spring.
WINTER SHIPPING: Cold winter temperatures (<40F) require heat packs which will be automatically included with the shipment if necessary.
Gemmae
Drosera occidentalis Gemmae (10+ gemmae)
These are GEMMAE and not fully grown plants. Gemmae are tiny modified leaves that bud off the mother plants and each one can rapidly grow into an adult plant!
They are very easy to germinate and will grow much faster than seeds. Simply place them on the surface of moist soil and keep humid. Within about a week, they will send out a tiny root and begin to develop carnivorous leaves. In several months, they can be flowering size! Truly an incredible adaptation that is extremely rare in flowering plants!
You will receive 10+ gemmae folded into a wet paper towel in a bag. Plant them as soon as possible and keep in a high humidity environment. After they have developed their first few leaves, slowly acclimate to lower humidity over the next couple weeks. I often use a baggie over the top of the pot and cut off about 0.5” of the corners. After they have a couple leaves, progressively open the corners more until eventually taking off the bag after a few weeks. These want strong light, even as gemmae (though slightly less than when adults).
Growing Information
Climate: Mediterranean (SW Australia). 40-100F, low to moderate humidity.
Light: Full Sun or 20W per sq ft LED light. Pygmy sundews love bright light.
Water: Distilled or Reverse Osmosis water. Sitting in 0.5”-1” of water using tray method.
Soil: 40% Peat: 60% Perlite/Sand is a good mix. Pygmy Sundews like well draining soils. Rinse media with distilled or reverse osmosis water to remove excess salts. This species grows in sand in the wild and does well in very sandy mixes (~70% sand: 30% peat).
Feeding: Feed leaves with Insect Powder every 2-4 weeks.
Add Pygmy Sundew Soil and a Pot + Tray to combine with these gemmae into a kit with everything you need to get started. Just add water and light!
Description
Drosera occidentalis “narrow white petals” is a tiny species of Pygmy Sundew that can be quite variable and diverse. It has round lamina on very thin petioles, with white fuzzy stipules in the center of the plants. Then plants readily turn a bright red color under bright light. The flowers can vary from a white to salmon color. This specific form that I am calling “narrow white petals” originally came to me as Drosera microscapa, but does not match the species description despite narrower petals than typical occidentalis (also lacking a singular bract). The rosettes are some of the tiniest of all sundews, reaching around 3/8” in diameter and the flowers might be the smallest I’ve seen. A true pygmy among pygmies.
As a pygmy sundew, it will produce ‘gemmae’ which are tiny modified leaves that appear as geometric circles of buds in the center of the growing point each fall. Each gemma can detach from the main plant and rapidly grow into a new plant (much faster than planting seed).
Drosera occidentalis produces tiny, flattened gemmae. Adjust the photoperiod to be 9-10 hours in winter, gradually cycling to 14-15 hours in summer. They require proper lighting cues to produce gemmae and to flower in spring.
WINTER SHIPPING: Cold winter temperatures (<40F) require heat packs which will be automatically included with the shipment if necessary.
Gemmae
Drosera occidentalis Gemmae (10+ gemmae)
These are GEMMAE and not fully grown plants. Gemmae are tiny modified leaves that bud off the mother plants and each one can rapidly grow into an adult plant!
They are very easy to germinate and will grow much faster than seeds. Simply place them on the surface of moist soil and keep humid. Within about a week, they will send out a tiny root and begin to develop carnivorous leaves. In several months, they can be flowering size! Truly an incredible adaptation that is extremely rare in flowering plants!
You will receive 10+ gemmae folded into a wet paper towel in a bag. Plant them as soon as possible and keep in a high humidity environment. After they have developed their first few leaves, slowly acclimate to lower humidity over the next couple weeks. I often use a baggie over the top of the pot and cut off about 0.5” of the corners. After they have a couple leaves, progressively open the corners more until eventually taking off the bag after a few weeks. These want strong light, even as gemmae (though slightly less than when adults).
Growing Information
Climate: Mediterranean (SW Australia). 40-100F, low to moderate humidity.
Light: Full Sun or 20W per sq ft LED light. Pygmy sundews love bright light.
Water: Distilled or Reverse Osmosis water. Sitting in 0.5”-1” of water using tray method.
Soil: 40% Peat: 60% Perlite/Sand is a good mix. Pygmy Sundews like well draining soils. Rinse media with distilled or reverse osmosis water to remove excess salts. This species grows in sand in the wild and does well in very sandy mixes (~70% sand: 30% peat).
Feeding: Feed leaves with Insect Powder every 2-4 weeks.
Add Pygmy Sundew Soil and a Pot + Tray to combine with these gemmae into a kit with everything you need to get started. Just add water and light!
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