Origin
Drosera ×hybrida Macfarlane (pro sp.) is a hybrid plant species that belongs to the sundew family (Droseraceae). The plant is believed to be of Australian origin, where it grows and thrives in damp and nutrient-poor soils.
Common Names
The plant is commonly known as the spoon-leaved sundew or spoon-leaved hybrid sundew. Other common names include Drosera spathulata x pulchella, and Drosera spathulata x affinis.
Uses
The spoon-leaved sundew is a carnivorous plant that uses its sticky leaves to capture and digest small insects and invertebrates for nutrients. It is sometimes grown as an ornamental plant in bog gardens, terrariums, and carnivorous plant collections. The plant's sticky secretion has also been used in traditional medicine to treat respiratory ailments and skin inflammation.
General Appearance
The spoon-leaved sundew is a compact herbaceous perennial plant that grows up to 7cm in height. It has a basal rosette of spoon-shaped leaves that are covered in glandular hairs that exude a sticky substance. The leaves are bright green with reddish tentacles on the leaf margins that produce a dew-like secretion to attract and trap insects. The plant produces small white to pink flowers that are held on unbranched scapes that can reach up to 10cm in length.
Growth Conditions for Drosera ×hybrida Macfarlane
Drosera ×hybrida Macfarlane is a hybrid species of carnivorous plant that requires particular growth conditions for healthy and robust growth. Below, we will discuss the typical growth conditions required for this plant.
Light
Due to the nature of Drosera ×hybrida Macfarlane as a carnivorous plant, it requires an extremely bright environment to thrive. Therefore, it is recommended that the plant is grown in full sun for at least six hours per day for optimal growth. Failure to provide adequate light will result in stunted growth and a lessened ability to trap insects for nutrients.
Temperature
The ideal temperature range for Drosera ×hybrida Macfarlane is between 60°F (15°C) and 80°F (27°C). The plant cannot tolerate freezing temperatures and must be grown indoors or in a greenhouse if the climate is too cold. As with most plants, temperatures that are too high or low can cause stress and damage to the plant.
Soil
The soil for Drosera ×hybrida Macfarlane should be nutrient-poor and acidic with a pH between 4.5 and 5.5. It is recommended to use a mixture of peat moss and sand for ideal soil conditions. The soil should also be kept moist at all times, as the plant will wilt and die if allowed to dry out. It is vital to avoid using fertilizers or any other soil amendments that contain minerals or nutrients as this can damage the plant’s ability to trap insects for nutrients.
By providing adequate light, temperature, and soil conditions, you can ensure the healthy and robust growth of Drosera ×hybrida Macfarlane. Following these guidelines will help to keep your plant thriving and able to catch insects for nutrients.
Cultivation Methods
Drosera ×hybrida Macfarlane, commonly known as the sundew hybrid, is a carnivorous plant that thrives in a moist and sunny environment. To cultivate this plant successfully, make sure to plant it in nutrient-poor soil enriched with sphagnum moss or peat moss. The ideal temperature for growth ranges from 65-80°F.
Watering Needs
The sundew hybrid requires constant moisture in its soil; thus, it is crucial to ensure the soil remains consistently damp. Water the plant daily and follow the watering instructions carefully, as the plant may quickly succumb to fungal diseases if the soil is excessively watered. Avoid using hard water, as it contains minerals that can harm the plant.
Fertilization
Being a carnivorous plant, Drosera ×hybrida Macfarlane does not require fertilization, as it derives all its nutrients from the insects it captures and digests. Nonetheless, if the plant is not growing as expected, you may add a small amount of organic fertilizer once a month, which will help stimulate growth.
Pruning
Since the sundew hybrid is carnivorous, it does not require pruning. However, if the plant experiences any dead or damaged leaves, cutting those off will encourage the growth of new healthy leaves. Use sterilized pruning tools to avoid spreading disease to the plant.
Propagation of Drosera ×hybrida Macfarlane (pro sp.)
Drosera ×hybrida Macfarlane (pro sp.) is a hybrid plant resulting from the cross-breeding of Drosera roseana and Drosera stolonifera. The plant is commonly propagated through two primary methods; vegetative propagation and seed propagation.
Vegetative propagation
Vegetative propagation is the easiest way to increase the number of plants and maintain exact genetic characteristics in Drosera ×hybrida. The technique allows the development of new identical plants from parent plants.
The most popular vegetative propagation method for Drosera ×hybrida is through division. This method involves separating new rosettes or offshoots at the base of adult plants during the active growing season mainly in spring or early summer when temperatures and humidity levels are highly favorable. It is recommended to leave three or more mature leaves on the divided rosetted for better survival of the newly separated plants.
Leaf and root cuttings are other vegetative propagation methods for the plant. The leaf and stem cutting method involves cutting a stem section containing at least one healthy leaf, then planting in a sterile potting mix. The cuttings should be placed in a humid and warm environment, and the soil mix should be always moist to facilitate rooting. Root cuttings are collected from the root mass of adult plants and planted in new sterile pots with the growing substrate. The potting mix should be constantly moist as well to encourage the growth of new plants.
Seed propagation
Seed propagation involves the production of new plants from the seeds produced by parent plants. This method is a little bit tricky for Drosera ×hybrida since the resulting plants may not have the same traits as the parent plants. However, seeds produced by the hybrid can still produce a high percentage of plants that closely resemble the characteristic traits of the parent plants.
The seeds are found in the small capsules produced by the hybrid and should be collected when ripe. The seeds should be surface-sown on the seedling compost and watered sparingly to ensure the seedlings do not dry out. It is recommended to cover the propagation tray entirely with clear plastic, which helps to maintain the humidity levels.
In conclusion, Drosera ×hybrida Macfarlane (pro sp.) can easily be propagated through vegetative propagation or seed propagation. Vegetative propagation is preferred since the new plants will maintain the exact genetic traits as the parent plants. Seed propagation, on the other hand, is a high-risk method for the hybrid but can still be used to produce plants that closely resemble the parent plants' traits.
Disease and Pest Management for Drosera ×hybrida Macfarlane
Drosera ×hybrida Macfarlane (pro sp.), commonly known as the hybrid sundew, is a carnivorous plant that requires a nutrient-poor, well-drained soil in bright, direct sunlight. Though relatively hardy, it is not immune to disease and pest infestations that can damage the plant's health and appearance. Proper disease and pest management can help ensure the plant's longevity and appearance.
Common Diseases
The most common diseases affecting Drosera ×hybrida Macfarlane are fungal infections caused by excessive moisture and poor ventilation. Symptoms of fungal infection include leaf discoloration, wilting, and lesions. Fungal infections can be prevented by avoiding overwatering, ensuring good air circulation around the plant, and immediately removing any infected plant material and soil.
Bacterial infections can also occur in Drosera ×hybrida Macfarlane, appearing as water-soaked leaf spots that turn brown and necrotic. Bacterial infections are often accompanied by a foul odor and can quickly spread throughout the plant. Bacterial infections can be controlled by removing and disposing of infected plant material, sterilizing tools and pots, and treating the plant with a copper-based fungicide.
Common Pests
Drosera ×hybrida Macfarlane can also be subject to pest infestations, which can stunt growth and damage the plant's appearance. Common pests include spider mites, aphids, and mealybugs. Spider mites, small insects that cause yellow, stippled leaves, can be controlled by spraying the plant with a fine mist of water to dislodge the insects and using an insecticidal soap or neem oil spray. Aphids, which cause curling leaves and the secretion of sticky honeydew, can be controlled by using a steady stream of water to remove the insects or applying a neem oil spray to the plant. Mealybugs, a type of scale insect that causes splotchy leaves and a cottony, white residue on the plant, can be controlled by using a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol to remove the insects or by applying insecticidal soap or neem oil.
Regular monitoring of the plant for disease and pest symptoms and taking quick action can help protect Drosera ×hybrida Macfarlane from severe damage and maintain its health and beauty.
