The Drosera filiformis "florida all red" experiment

[Devon]

Hello everyone,

I have started an experiment!

I noticed that in many of the photos of D. filiformis growing in the wild the plants are growing in pure silica... But in cultivation, people grow this plant in varying substrates such 1:1 peat:silica, sphagnum, etc.

So, what I have done is potted three Drosera filiformis "florida all red" seedlings in seperate pots in different substrates.

I want to see if the substrates most commonly used in cultivation work better, or if the pure silica substrate like in the wild works better.

here are the plants:



Pure silica, thoroughly washed


Pure live sphagnum moss


1:1 Peatmoss:silica, both peat and silica was washed


I have fed all of the seedlings about 4 days ago. I am growing them all in the same terrarium:


My only worry is that the silica will form some kind of slime mould on top of it, but since I washed it I'm hoping it won't be a problem.

I water the silica pot by lightly misting the top; I don't have a hole in the bottom because I don't want the sand to fall out.

I hope the experiment goes well!

[eou812]

Can we guess which one will grow best? If so i say sand peat moss mix then moss. Very cool experiment i did one on Drosera capensis not to long ago.

[Devon]

Can we guess which one will grow best? If so i say sand peat moss mix then moss.

hahaha sure. I'm guessing the one growing in live sphagnum will.

[mass]

peat, then LFS, then silica.. just my prediction from experience with this sp.

[eou812]

No i am serious i am going with what i said because i have seen them where they grow near beaches in Fl.

[Devon]

Just for fun, here's a picture I found of them growing in the wild. I'm not exactly sure if the sand is just on top, or if it's deep.

[eou812]

That's exactly what i ment i am pretty sure it's almost (almost) all the way beyond the roots. That's why i said SAND.

[Not a Number]

The New Jersey Drosera filiformis do well in almost pure sand as that's what they are often found growing in. It's easier to nurse them out of dormancy when grown in sand.

I have trouble with this species during the time they come out of dormancy as they seem to be vulnerable to crown rot. For others they grow like weeds. My experience is the sandier the mix the better - at least 2 to 1 sand to peat. A thick top layer of sand may help.

Otherwise they seem to grow well in any of the common CP planting substrates.

Keep us updated.

[eou812]

See i am with not a number i say sand, peat, LFS.

[jimscott]

I look forward to an updated photo in a few months.