This weekend I ventured up to Guelph to visit "Magic" Hallchurch (aka.
Grant) and his robust-growing collection which he grows under
flourescent lights in his cool basement. He has some remarkable sized
P. zecheri plants exceeding 7 inches (18 cm) in diameter. Very
beautiful lance-shaped leaves that color up with a light tinge of red in
good light. One P. colimensis plant in winter dormancy had over 12
divisions and flowering profusely. This plant looks very similar to P.
caudata except for slightly shorter leaves and flower characteristics
(fatter spur). He claims that certain Mexican Pings require a basic mix
for better than mediocre growth, examples being P. gypsicola, P.
zecheri, P. X "George Sargent", P. moranensis rosei, and P. X "mola".
One favoring an acidic mix is P. colimensis. His mixes are 1:1
peat/vermiculite with 1 tablespoon of limestone (CaCO3) per 700 mL of
mix and pure milled Sphagnum. I noted that the substrates for his
Pings. are just barely moist. I think that the most important variable
in his growing success is the cool temperatures afforded by his basement
(ca. 55-75 F).
Rob M.