Pinguicula moranensis var. neovolcanica 

' Puerto del Aire '

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TAXONOMY:

Family : Lentibulariaceae

 

Genus : Pinguicula

 

Name :  Pinguicula moranensis var neovolcanica

 

Sub-classification (Casper) : link

 

Publication : Not yet officially published but mentioned in the "International Pinguicula study group", Newsletter N°7, January 1996, pages 3 to 4, "Pinguicula hunting in Mexico" by Ing. Z. Yezek (See extract below).

 

Synonyms : Pinguicula sp. ' Puerto del aire '

DESCRIPTION :

- Soon - 

ORIGIN AND HISTORY :

Mexico, from Puerto del Aire. Extract from "International Pinguicula study group", Newsletter N°7, January 1996, pages 3 to 4, "Pinguicula hunting in Mexico" by Ing. Z. Yezek. 

"One day, just before my departure, I was returning from the town of Orizaba to my Hotel in Tehuacan by bus. The road winds through the famous saddle Puerto del Aire. This locality in itself would be worth a separate article because of its exceptional feature and beauty. It creates a border between the arid tropics (?) of the Tehuacan Basin and the Atlantic humid climate, which is typical for most of the territory of the coastal state of Veracruz, in the altitude of around 2000m. The bus crawl up the serpentines at the steepness unseen back home. A botanist hanging on a handle in a overcrowded bus, and looking over the heads of his luckier co-passengers, has enough time to study the vegetation along the road, which changes very quickly as we reach a higher altitude. From that position, I suddenly caught a glimpse of familliar Pinguicula blossoms, which I could not mistake for anything else ! They were bigger and more colourful that anything I had seen before. I had to go back the next day. There were hundreds of blossoming Pinguicula with a considerable variability of blossoms. Most specimens blossomed from the winter rosette and only a few had developed carnivorous leaves. No wonder that I could not find them before; the rosettes were very small and inconspicuous and perfectly camouflaged with dry remains of the summer leaves and other shed material. The Pinguicula grew individually or in small groups in rock crevices, but also in the grass partly shaded by low shrubs. The slope face south-east and it was so steep that it was difficult to stand on it. I was surprised by the water conditions at the locality; it was very dry, and although the dry season was coming to an end, the composition of the surrounding vegetation did not suggest any significant improvement during the rain season. The humidity was not high either, epiphytes still occurred only rarely. In our collection, we usually torment Pinguicula in water all year round, while here the soil could never get soaked (note the steeples and the exposure of the slope). The composition of the soil resembled the soil of our alkaline mountain meadow in the altitude of 800m. and above. I followed this experience when I tried to implant the imported specimen in the growth at home and they have been growing well so far."

Map / LOCALISATION:

No precise localisation but according to the text, the plants grow near the road between Orizaba to Tehuacan near Puerto del Aire. As we cross the limite between two Federal states (Veracruz for Orizaba and Puebla for Tehuacan, Puerto del Aire can be in one of this state or at the limit between the two states. 

 

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

 

 

HABITAT:

The Pinguicula grew individually or in small groups in rock crevices, but also in the grass partly shaded by low shrubs. The slope face south-east and it was so steep that it was difficult to stand on it. I was surprised by the water conditions at the locality; it was very dry, and although the dry season was coming to an end, the composition of the surrounding vegetation did not suggest any significant improvement during the rain season. The humidity was not high either, epiphytes still occurred only rarely. In our collection, we usually torment Pinguicula in water all year round, while here the soil could never get soaked (note the steeples and the exposure of the slope). The composition of the soil resembled the soil of our alkaline mountain meadow in the altitude of 800m. and above. 

Introduction in culture :

The plant have been brought in culture by Ing. Z. Yezek around 1996. I get one clone in 1999.  

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 slightly 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 yet.

 

Multiplication : I have never succeeded in pollinating the flowers of this Pinguicula. So I don't know the seeds. 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 the totality of the leaf including the white base as the plantlets will sprout from this area.

 PICTURES: (click to enlarge)