Looking to add a Drosera to my collection, need help with deciding?

[RSS]

The tittle says it all, I have limited space and want to add another drosera but with one? I think I've narrowed it down to the following:

Drosera binata multifida 'Extrema' - that I would need to "Bonsai" to keep it in check.
Drosera capensis 'alba' or "alba" if I can't find a cultivar and Drosera capensis 'mini red' - this one I would end up with 2 plants as I think the contrast would be worth the loss of space
Drosera graomogolensis

It would be living in an 18" X 18" X 36" Exo Terra under low to mid LED lighting mid/high humidity.

Any other suggestions are welcome.

Thanks

 

[adnedarn]

I dont know about mini red, but could definitely help with D. 'Albino' and capensis all red. Can be one pot if looking to save space, they definitely look amazing together! But the red can be lost fairly quickly under lower light...



With lower light and space limitations how about one of the sisters or hybrid of? adelae, prolifera, schizandra or andromedia.

 

[Huntsmanshorn]

Drosera capensis 'alba' is very pretty, very hardy and easy to grow, and you will be able to find it as it is everywhere. There you go, glad I could help.

 

[hcarlton]

You can't bonsai a sundew; they will grow to whatever dimensions they're meant to grow to, small root space will only hamper health in general if it restricts them at all. So anything in the binata complex that isn't a naturally small variant, is going to outgrow a space like that (and most sundews would be happier if you don't put them in an enclosed space like that anyway, they'll happily just grow on a sunny windowsill or in the case of the binatas, happier outside). You also will not successfully grow the vast majority under low light, they need as close to full sun as can be provided. capensis *might* survive, but it won't look great, and even a red form will end up looking like 'Albino' (there is no "alba," no such name was ever published) with floppy leaves.

Honestly the only sundews that would be appropriate for the setup described would be the Queensland sisters, they prefer lower lighting and higher humidity and don't get as big.

 

[bluemax]

I would agree that D. adelae would be a good choice, considering your conditions. They're fairly common and pretty tough, too.

 

[adnedarn]

I have lots of D adelae, if you decide to go that way.

 

[RSS]

Thanks for the input I'll do some research and make a decision.

 

[adnedarn]

I can probably spare D. prolifera as well.

 

[AlmondMO]

I have a small collection of Drosera about 20 or so plants. My favorite capensis is "Alba" and is very hardy. For the pygmy sundews I was not a fan at first but then I got my first gemmae of Drosera scorpoides and fell in love. Once they get a little size on them they are fascinating (to me anyway). Not a very good picture but you can see the structure. Also very hardy. Another good one for color is Drosera banana "Marston Red Dragon". Mine has not gotten over the top huge and the flowers are beautiful and the plant is completely red. Unfortunately, I cut off the flower in the attached pic. Have you settled in on what is of interest to you for your collection? The Drosera burmannii are fascinating as they seem to quickly populate a pot with little offspring and in the right light get a beautiful pink/red tinge to them. Another smaller Drosera is D. tokaiensis.

 

[AlmondMO]

Meant to add Drosera ultramafica x spatulata is incredibly beautiful and not too large.

 

[hcarlton]

Unfortunately nearly everything currently sold as "ultramafica x spatulata" is just spatulata. The plant originally claimed to be a hybrid isn't, and true crosses are a bit pickier than spatulata is and have very distinctive upright leaves. Unless you got it from someone who made the cross themselves and confirmed it to be the sterile hybrid I'd be skeptical of the ID.
Your binata-complex plant is also 'Marston Dragon' as the cultivar name, there isn't any "red" epithet added and it is a registered cultivar, single quotes. capensis name already addressed.

 

[AlmondMO]

hcarlton you are quite correct on the Marston Dragon, my error for adding the 'red' as it doesn't exist as a naming convention. I am puzzled why you think there is no Alba? I purchased mine from California Carnivores and they identified it as "Alba". Can you help me understand why you say there is no Alba? Thanks for your help.

 

[AlmondMO]

Just did a little research and appears that while many growers, collectors call the plant Drosera capensis Alba, there is no such botanical name. The only botanical named plant for what a lot of people call "Alba" is Drosera capensis "Albino". Fun to learn things as you get into a new hobby. Confusing on why growers still offer it as "Alba"