Re: Byblis gigantea

John Taylor [The Banshee] (rphjt@minyos.xx.rmit.OZ.AU)
Tue, 11 May 93 15:46:30 +0000

>CP-Survivors,
>
>what's the correct treatment for Byblis gigantea ? I have sown
>them and they are doing well so far. Up to now I treated them
>like ordinary Drosera.
>
>Is there any other way to propagate B.gigantea than by seeds ?
>
>Regards,
>
>Michael

I grow mine from seed using the clay-pot and grass-fire technique (as
described by Adrian Slack) with some success. We had a few seeds germinate,
with only one surviving - apparently some seedlings fail to develop a healthy
root system and die off rapidly. Our surviving plant is now a few years old
and grow very well - the key point is to be mean with it! This plant comes
from semi-arid conditions, not peat bogs. The soil must not be kept wet,
usually you only water when the compost begins to dry out & ensure good
drainage in the pot. Damping off is another of the killers of this plant,
although it is much easier to grow than the similar Drosophyllum (which is a
real hassle to grow IMO! - I have yet to succeed with it)

Good luck - this plant is worth the effort to grow for it's fabulous flowering
display.

| John Taylor [The Banshee] | Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology |