PROPAGATION. By roots or seeds. If seeds are used, start them under a bell jar.
SPECIAL USES. Terrariums.
Dracaena godseffiana Liliaceae
Small tropical foliage shrub, slow-growing and bushy, with glassy, leathery leaves haphazardly splotched with white. The named variety ‘Florida Beauty’ is even more dwarf, takes years to fit a four-inch pot, and boasts golden-yellow splotches.
CARE. Warm, loamy garden soil, filtered sun (more light for color), moist to wet.
PROPAGATION. Pieces of stem with several joints; tip cuttings; air layering.
SPECIAL USES. Miniature gardens.
Drosera rotundifolia Droseraceae Sundew
The whole plant can often hide under a half-dollar—the smallest of all the insect-eaters. Flat stems radiate out from a central crown, expand at the ends, become flat spoon-shaped blades covered with reddish hairs that are tipped with drops of glue. Any insect landing on the surface gets his feet stuck while longer hairs on the edge act like tentacles to entangle him even more. Spring flowers top stems that grow straight up in the center.
CARE. Cool, humid, humusy soil made acid with peat moss if necessary, moist but not soggy, good drainage, room temperature is adequate with some direct sunlight but not enough to raise temperature in terrarium to a dangerous level. Transplanting or shipping may retard growth several weeks; don’t get soil on leaves. May go dormant after flowering. Do not try to grow in ordinary room without glass cover or a plastic bag. Small amount of plant food (such as Vigoro). Rain water preferred.