How to plant sundew gemmae
Gemmae are produced by the narrow part of sundews. These are small leaves with roots and not seeds. Gemmae are most commonly formed by pygmy sundews during winter or spring. Once mature, they can be easily removed from the plant and must be planted immediately, as they do not last long in this form. They can be stored briefly in a damp napkin and a refrigerator, but even then, they can only be kept for a few weeks. They are planted in the same substrate as adult plants. Under good conditions, the plants can grow during one season. To ensure smooth planting, I have created a guide on how to plant sundew gemmae.
Gemmae are very small and prone to damage, so it is necessary to handle them with great care.
Since gemmae are delicate and prone to damage, handling them with tweezers can be risky unless you are experienced, as they might be crushed. A practical alternative is to use a plastic plant label to pick them up. If moistened, the gemmae easily adhere to it.
You can create a small indentation in the substrate using the head of a needle for gemmae planting, or gently press them onto the substrate.
Once planted, place the gemmae in a tray with water, in a bright location, and allow them to root. Be cautious of the substrate drying out, as the plants do not have roots yet and can easily dry out.
