Drosera dichotoma in X

Credit: Rafael Medina

Drosera binata dichotoma full soil

Credit: Daderot

Drosera dichotoma greenhouse

Credit: Daderot

Drosera dichotoma flowers

Credit: Billiet F

Drosera binata dichotoma, a multifurcate carnivorous plant

It's hard to survive in the bogs and marshes of Australia and New Zealand. Drosera binata dichotoma, a carnivorous plant in the Droseraceae family, has an unstoppable technique. Its forked leaves become merciless insect killers.

How to recognize Drosera binata dichotoma?

Drosera binata dichotoma is an upright herbaceous carnivorous plant. It reaches 20 to 40 centimetres in height.

At first glance, Drosera binata dichotoma appears acaule. Its stem is actually hidden by foliage.

Like drosera binata, Drosera binata dichotoma has forked leaves. However, whereas the typical variety has two bifurcations in its leaf blades, Drosera binata dichotoma has four: two at the top and two at the bottom. Leaves measure up to 20 centimetres. Green, they become coppery at the tip when they receive enough light.

The leaf blades are covered with tentacles, hairs that secrete liquid. These trichomes produce shiny droplets that attract insects. As they approach, they are held back by the viscous substance. The leaf then slowly wraps itself around its prey, suffocating it. It then digests the insect with gastric juices produced by the tentacles.

The plant does not capture all insects. To protect pollinators from its fearsome trap, the flowers grow on a flowering spike higher than the leaves. They are white, with five petals.

Fruits appear at the end of summer. They are round capsules containing the seeds.

Drosera binata dichotoma is only lethal to insects. The plant is not toxic to the touch or ingested by humans or animals larger than a fly.

Our maintenance tips

Drosera dichotoma have a resting period in autumn and winter. Their foliage disappears and you need to reduce watering. But don't worry! With the right care, your plant will start growing again in spring.

Watering

Water your plant generously during the growing season.

Prepare a dish with a diameter greater than that of the pot of your Drosera dichotoma. Fill it with one or two centimetres of water.

Use only rainwater, osmosis water or demineralized water. Carnivorous plants cannot tolerate limescale. Never water with tap water.

Place your Drosera dichotoma, in its pot, on the saucer full of water. The container should never be empty. When the water level drops, refill it.

Reduce watering during dormancy.

Keep the substrate slightly moist by watering from above. Pour water over the soil. Avoid wetting foliage and traps.

Water only with rainwater, demineralized water or osmosis water. Never use tap or mineral water. Drosera dichotoma do not tolerate limescale. Tap water will kill your plant.

Repotting

Repot your Drosera dichotoma in a pierced pot of at least one liter.

Preferably a plastic pot. Avoid terracotta containers. When watered, this material releases minerals that are harmful to your plant.

Prepare a mixture of 70% white peat and 30% perlite. Moisten this substrate with rainwater until it is waterlogged.

Plant your Drosera dichotoma in the center and tamp lightly.

Re-pot your plant to give it more space and stimulate growth.

Repot your Drosera dichotoma in a pierced pot of at least one liter.

Preferably a plastic pot. Avoid terracotta containers. When watered, this material releases minerals that are harmful to your plant.

Prepare a mixture of 70% white peat and 30% perlite. Moisten this substrate with rainwater until it is waterlogged.

Plant your Drosera dichotoma in the center and tamp lightly.

Fertilization

Your plant doesn't need fertilizer. The insects it captures are sufficient to provide it with nutrients.

Prune

Pruning before wintering helps the plant regenerate.

Pruning the dry parts of the plant prevents rotting and the development of fungal diseases.

Using clean, sharp pruning shears, cut off wilted leaves and flower stems.

Be careful not to remove any young shoots that may surround the stem. They form the hibernacle that protects the roots and heart of the plant from the cold.

Cutting

Cutting is carried out during the strong growth phase, generally in spring and early summer.

Locate a healthy root on the mother plant. Cut off a two- to three-centimeter section using clean, sharp pruning shears.

There's no need to cut larger. It won't increase your chances of a successful cutting, and will damage the original plant.

Obtain a pierced plastic pot. Fill it with blond peat and moisten the substrate until it is saturated with water. Always use demineralized water, such as rainwater or osmosis water.

Lay your cutting on the potting soil. Cover with a little white peat moss.

Water regularly with rainwater to keep the soil moist. You can also place your cutting in a tray filled with demineralized water to ensure watering by capillary action.

Diseases / Threats

Aphids

Slugs

Information

Family	Droseraceae - Droseraceae
Type	Drosera - Drosera
Species	Drosera binata - Drosera binata
Lifecycle	Perennial
Foliage	Evergreen
Exposure	Sun
Substrat	Humus soil
Planting methods	In pots In tubs Planter
Category	Herbaceous
Tags	Beginner Rustic Soiffarde
Origins	Oceania Australia
Hardiness (USDA)	9a
Leaf color
Flower color