Pinguicula moranensis from El Chico

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TAXONOMY:

Family : Lentibulariaceae

Genus : Pinguicula

Name :  Pinguicula moranensis var. neovolcanica (see ORIGIN AND HISTORY below).

Sub-classification (Casper) : link

 

Publication : "Notas sobre la identidad de Pinguicula moranensis H.B.K. con la description de una variedad nueva" by Sergio Zamudio, in acta botanica Mexicana, N°49, pages 23-34.

DESCRIPTION :

- soon - 

ORIGIN AND HISTORY :

The only information is given by Hans Luhrs in his article in IPSG, Newsletter N°4, February 1994 on Pinguicula acuminata :

He was looking for Pinguicula acuminata in El Chico National Park and found that this species grow together with Pinguicula moranensis on most places. I feel that this is this clone labelled 'El Chico'. In 1999, Serdio Zamudio, the famous Mexican botanist published the following article about a new described variety : Pinguicula moranensis var. neovolcanica. "Notas sobre la identidad de Pinguicula moranensis H.B.K. con la description de una variedad nueva" by Sergio Zamudio, in acta botanica Mexicana, N°49, pages 23-34. (see the specific page - soon - ). One of the decribed locality for this variety is in El Chico National Park. The plants labelled Pinguicula moranensis 'El Chico' can be Pinguicula moranensis var. neovolcanica as the plants feet well the description in this publication.      

Map / LOCALISATION : 

From Mexico, state of Hidalgo, municipality of El Chico and its surrounding area together with Pinguicula acuminata. 

 

(click on the map for better location and relief map)

 

 

El Chico National Park is located on the eastern side of the Sierra de Pachuca mountains and ranges in altitude from 2,320 meters to a height of 3,090 meters above sea level. In 1898 it became the first national park decreed a natural reserve. The park covers an area of 2,739 hectares and is popular with hikers, mountain bikers and rock-climbers who come to scale its rocky peaks, including "La Ventana", the highest point in the park, just outside of Mineral del Chico.

HABITAT:         

The only information is given by Hans Luhrs in his article in IPSG, Newsletter N°4, February 1994 on Pinguicula acuminata. On shady banks in misty forests, abundant in loamy soil between rocks on humid sites, and associated with colonies of moss, ferns and succulents, in wooded area of Quercus and Abies species, at altitude between 2400 and 2800m. On most places, Pinguicula acuminata is found together with Pinguicula moranensis.

TEMPERATURE and PRECIPITATIONS :

Click on the graph to enlarge and see the graph of normal precipitation and normal average temperatures. Normal values are 30-year averages for the period 1961 to 1990. The weather stations are grouped by region (see map of weather stations).

 

    

Introduction in culture :

My clone comes from "bestcarnivorousplants.com" nursery. 

CULTURE AND MULTIPLICATION : 

(North hemisphere, France near Paris, in a polycarbonate greenhouse - see the map -)

Life cycle : The life cycle observed in culture for this Pinguicula consists of two seasons, one wet and the other dry (see link). The plant forms different leaf rosettes according to the season. During the resting months (winter) the small succulent rosette is composed of numerous non-carnivorous leaves. The carnivorous leaves are produced in spring and during all summer. The life cycle of the plant is probably similar in it's native habitat.

 

Media : I use a 100 % mineral media : 2 perlite, 2 vermiculite, 1 small sand (for aquarium), 1 fine white sand, 1 pouzzolane (volcanic lava), 1 aqualit (expansed ceramic for aquarium). The aqualit can be replaced by 1 of pouzzolane. Plants in this media grow slower but have a stronger root system.

 

Pot : plastic, colour terracotta, diameter 12.5cm, height 12cm.

 

Cultivation : I think that a slightly airy situation inside the greenhouse is important to avoid air stagnation. For this reason, I use a fan 24h/24h all the year round.

Watering is very important : from May to September (summer). I let the media drying sligthly between two watering. I use rain water poured on the top of the pot taking care not to wet the rosette.  From October to April, It is important to let the media drying completely (no watering) but with an atmospheric humidity of about 80%.

The mentioned months are indicative and can change according to your own growing conditions. In fact, when this Pinguicula begins to produce its non-carnivorous leaves, you have to stop watering and let the pot drying out completely. Inversely, when the plant begins to produce in early spring its carnivorous leaves, you have to progressively start watering again the pot.

Temperatures : during growth period, day temperatures are about 25°C but can reach 35°C when the sun is shining on the greenhouse in spite of the use of shading covers. Night temperatures are around 20°C. During resting period : day/night over freezing point. Lower temperature observed : - 4°C. I use an electronic petroleum heater to provide heat.

Flowering period : not observed up to now

 

Multiplication : The plants can be propagated easily using non-carnivorous leaves separated from the rosette at the end of winter. You only have to carefully tear out all the leaf particularly with the white base. The new plantlets will sprout from this area. Don't try with the summer leaves, it is harder.

PICTURES: (click to enlarge)