Pinguicula 'synalta'

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TAXONOMY:

Family : Lentibulariaceae

Genus : Pinguicula

Name : not yet published

 

Sub-classification (Casper) : link

Publication : no publication

DESCRIPTION :

The plant looks closely related to Pinguicula gigantea.

In "Welcome to the wonderful world of the Mexican Pinguicula" by N. INAHO, this plant is mentioned to have leaves broader than Pinguicula gigantea with a wavy edge. It is said that the flower have narrower petals and a darker shade. The author mentions several varietes in Pinguicula gigantea clones. This plant seems to be the biggest  known Pinguicula. A French grower, Patrice Charpentier observed a diameter of 28 cm for the rosette of his clone. 

 

- more soon - 

ORIGIN AND HISTORY :

This plant is sold in Australia in Triffid park (Australian carnivorous plants nursery). The micropropagation  laboratory that provides the plants for Triffid Park got it from another  laboratory that  has now stopped his business. There was a message In the ICPS forum, about the story of this plant : According to the message, seeds have been collected by Dr. Alfred Lau, a missionary, botanist and plant collector who lived for many years in Mexico. They were sent to Andre Cleghorn (Flora Laboratories) who succeeded in growing it".

Edouard Read, another Pinguicula lover asked Andre Cleghorn to confirm this story. The answer was surprising : Andre claimed that he personally didn't get it from Dr. Lau. More obviously, Dr. Lau has been staying at Edouard Read's home and  was repeatedly questioned about  the name 'Synalta'. He immediately  replied that he never heard of such a place or has any recollection  concerning a Pinguicula 'Synalta' and said that he  never collected the seeds !

I found a Sierra Sinaloa in Mexico,  that is the closest name  existing on the maps. Nevertheless, this plant is close to Pinguicula gigantea that comes from Ayautla, a locality very far from Sinaloa ! 

Who  will be able clear this up ?

Map / LOCALISATION : 

No data. From Mexico ?, from Guatemala ?...

HABITAT:         

No data.

Introduction in culture :

My plant was obtained from Triffid Park, a carnivorous plants nursery in Australia.

CULTURE AND MULTIPLICATION : 

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

Life cycle : No data. I think this Pinguicula have the same life cycle as Pinguicula gigantea. (see link)

 

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 may 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 for my clone

 

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 the totality of the leaf particularly with it's white base as the new plantlets will sprout from this area. Don't try with the summer leaves, it is harder.

PICTURES: (click to enlarge)