Drosera glanduligera is found in south western and south eastern Australia and Tasmania. It can be quite abundant in certain locations. It is a winter growing annual with a very short life span.

In spite of the fact that the plant is widespread in Australia and grows in diverse soil conditions, it can be very challenging to grow in captivity. The first challenge is getting the seeds to germinate. The second is keeping the plants alive.

The seeds of Drosera glanduligera have similar germination requirement as tuberous Drosera. Kamil Pásek of Best Carnivorous Plants reports that keeping the seed pots at 8-12°C is sufficient to get reasonable germination rates. This may be difficult to do. Another method is to plant the seeds outside in the middle of the summer. That means damp soil and air temperatures peaking above 30°C (85°F). Soil temperatures may be higher. Use a soil similar to what you would use for tuberous Drosera--usually more sand than peat. This period of warm stratification should be followed by cool days of less than 22°C (70°F) and nights around 10°C (50°F). This usually corresponds to typical fall weather in temperate and Mediterranean climates. If you live in a more temperate climate, try planting the seeds during the winter and germinating the seeds in window in a garage or cold frame. Scarification will help the seeds to germinate quicker and without warm stratification. But that can be good or bad depending on when they germinate. If your weather gets cool then hot again in the fall, any young plants will need to be protected from warm temperatures. If you are trying to germinate the seeds during the winter under lights in a basement, scarification should help. Please see Sowing Seeds Step-by-Step for more details on starting seeds and the growing guide Growing Subtropical Drosera for more information growing the plant in general but keep in mind that Drosera glanduligera wants to be cool and must be fed one way or another.

Keeping the plants alive can be a problem unless you can keep them below 22°C (70°F) and feed them enough. The plants shown above were grown in the shade. The ones grown in the sun, even if the air temperature was below 22°C, did not survive very long. In the shade or filtered sun they will survive temperatures in the low 30's°C (90's°F). For the plants to grow well and bloom you need to feed them regularly if they are not catching enough insects on their own. Generally they need to gorge on springtails to do well. Small pieces of hydrated dried blood worms and/or a dilute foliar fertilizer will work well.

-- John Brittnacher

For more information please see:

Gibson, Robert (2001) Highlights of a trip to Western Australia. Carniv. Pl. Newslett. 30(3):78-83 ( )