Question
Jeff,

In your opinion, what is the best soil mix to use for germinating/cultivating Drosera regia? What are your thoughts on using LF sphagnum and perlite or silica sand??

Thank you,

Derick

Answer
Hi Derick,

For seed germination I tend to prefer either pure peat moss, or a mix of peat and sand.  It depends on how you are sowing your seeds.  When we use cell plug trays in the nursery, pure peat works best, since it makes it easiest to remove the plug when it's time to transplant.  In a pot, I would go with peat/sand since when it comes to transplanting time, you'll be able to remove the plants easier.  I also like peat/sand for the fine grain texture that delivers better contact with the media than peat/perlite would.  Having said that, however, peat/perlite does work.

For older D. regia plants I like using a coarser mix, similar to Drosophyllum.  We use a peat/pumice/sand/perlite mix.  In the midwest, pumice is probably hard to find, so just two parts perlite would work instead.  D. regia likes cool roots, and to be slightly drier than other Drosera, so the course mix gives you that.  In nature D. regia grows in a fairly rocky soil.  Here's a page with some good native habitat photos.  http://www.ispot.org.za/node/144852

We used to use LFS in the mix for D. regia, but don't anymore.  Long-fiber sphagnum is fine in situations such as Nepenthes plantings where the pots are top-watered and allowed to drain.  In situations where the pots may be sitting in water, however, it breaks down too quickly, and causes problems.

Good Growing!

Jeff Dallas
Sarracenia Northwest
http://www.growcarnivorousplants.com