Cape Sundews Carnivorous Plants

Reminder: All my reviews are from products I personally purchase because I want the item.  I am not sponsored and I don't ever receive free items.  These are 100% legit reviews.  If you make a purchase from a link in my review, I may receive a small commission, but it's always after the fact.  First and foremost is me buying a product, liking it, and wanting to share my excitement with you.

I had a gnat problem and rather than rely on the functional but not aesthetically pleasing sticky things (see my other review) to handle the problem, I opted to try carnivorous plants.  I felt this could work out better as a long-term solution.

After a bit of research to determine the best carnivorous plant for the job, it was clear I needed Sundew.  There were several options.  I chose this one.  I was skeptical about ordering plants online.  How on earth would they be kept alive and undamaged during transit?

Well, they were worth the wait (ordered on July 22nd, arrived August 1st).  I got a box with the following:

• Plastic tray
• Paper instructions
• Two individually wrapped plants wrapped in wet paper-towel and then in plastic bag
• Two plastic pots with peat, individually wrapped in plastic bags

On my first order (yes, I have since placed a second order), one of the two plants looked a little bedraggled, but I followed all the directions (which are pretty darn easy), and both initial plants are doing well (okay, one is thriving and the other is kicking major butt... look, it's FLOWERING!).

So the big question is.... are they doing the job?!

Yes, with a capital "Y"!

I'm including a close-up photo... see all those little black dots?  Those are/were gnats.  I may see the occasional gnat flying around once in a while, but I know it's only a matter of time before he becomes nutrition for one of my Sundews.  Sorry... circle of life.



So what's the maintenance like?  Upon arrival, you use your finger to make an opening in peat of the pots and place the plant into the hole.  Put both pots into the black tray and add distilled water (no tap water) to near the top.  Add more water when needed to keep the plants in a constant state of "in water".  And have them in bright light for about 12 hours a day.

Pretty simple, right?  Here are the nuances I've added:

• I replaced the black tray for a see-through acrylic one with a better fit on my window sill
  
• I added a grow light because there is very little sunlight in my house
• I rotate the tray each day so they each get a good amount of light
• I snip off any dead fronds and smile lovingly as the plants thrive

And just today I set up my second pair... they're going in the living room where I have a ton of plants and just want to make sure I don't get gnats from the very humid environment.

Again, here's the link to the plants I ordered and have had great success with: this one.