Propagation
Sow fresh seed during spring and maintain a temperature of 10ş to 13ş C. (50ş to 55ş F).

Take root or leaf cuttings from spring to summer.


Botanic information
Leaf: The narrow linear leaves are up to 5mm (3/16in) wide with a fleshy texture and are covered in red or greenish glands tentacle-like that secrete clear mucilage that glistens in the sun.

Flower: The pink crateriform flowers are arranged in a terminal raceme with up to 20 blooms and is held above the foliage on a tall thin scape that is up to 300mm (1ft) tall. The flowers consist of 5-sepals that are fused at the base and 5-free petals with 5-alternating stamens. They appear from spring to midsummer.

Fruit: The tiny capsule produces seeds that are very viable and self-sow readily but the plant may be reproduced vegetatively.


Note on the insect catching leaves.
The glands are longer on the margins and these respond to stimuli folding inwards towards the centre of the leaf transporting the insect to the awaiting inner glands. The glands at the centre of the leaf respond more slowly.

The glands secrete mucilageto capture the insects they also secrete enzymessuch as acid phosphatase. Together they contain and dissolve the fleshy parts of the victims while rolling the leaf around them, which takes up to forty-eight hours to complete. This rolling action assists in the digestion of the prey but not its capture and protects the nutrient fluids from being washed away by rain.
These dissolved fluids are then absorbed by the plant as nutrients by means of tiny hairs on the leaf surface.

Large insects become entangled in the neighbour`s glands activating multiple attachments and securing the prey. This may involve more than one leaf but all work as a team.

Since each gland can only bend three times before it becomes redundant the leaf determinesthe required amount of glands to secure and digest the prey, normally according to size. Glands that have finished there task then return to their original position awaiting new victims.

The insects may be attracted by the colour, odour or the shiny mucilage. It is uncertain what it is the attraction but many insects attach them selves to the leaves.