Drosera seed raising mix and germination rate.

[Richard Hole]

Hi

I read that sand should be used in the seed raising mix for Drosera seeds. However, it would have to be fine sand. I bought some coarse washed river sand. How about if I put a layer of pure sphagnum based peat moss on the top of the mix in the seed raising tray where the layer may be about 1 centimeter deep. Below that I could just have the usual potting mix of peat and coarse river sand. Do you think that would be all right and as good as some fine sand on the surface? It would save mixing up fine sand. Also, even fine sand particles may be larger than some of the Drosera seed and a risk could be if the seed lands on a grain of sand and does not make good contact with the peat moss to get moisture.

Also on the average what percentage of the seed should germinate for most Drosera? For example, I bought some packs of the below seed. If it is a very high germination rate, perhaps one seed could be dropped into each of the small pots. This would save transplanting the plants from the tray to pots later on.

Slackii
Peltata
Aliciae
Filiformis
Burmannii
Intermedia
Nidiformis
Dielsiana
Capensis Broad Leaf
Capensis Red form

Your help is appreciated,
Regards Richard.