Mystery Pings and germinating seeds

From: Loyd Wix (Loyd.Wix@unilever.com)
Date: Mon Nov 17 1997 - 05:46:20 PST 

Date: 17 Nov 1997 14:46:20 +0100
From: Loyd Wix <Loyd.Wix@unilever.com>
To: cp@opus.hpl.hp.com
Message-Id: <aabcdefg4378$foo@default>
Subject: Mystery Pings and germinating seeds

          
          Dear Hans,
          
          Alfred Lau has been responsible for collecting the seeds of
          many Mexican Pinguiculas.( This is the reason for the 'Lau'
          in P.laueana). A few years ago he was in contact with a
          number of people in Europe which resulted in new material
          entering cultivation. More recently he had been in greater
          contact with the Australians. Unfortunately Dr Lau is very
          effective in finding the plants but left the identification
          or description of new species to others - I am not sure who
          (if anyone) is looking at these in Australia. Regarding the
          Pico de Orizaba plants I have not seen this plant in the
          flesh though I suspect it may be the P.moranensis which
          occurs in that area - remember that this is a very variable
          species. Are there any Aussies out there who know a thing or
          two about Mexican Pings who could comment?
          
          I have no idea what P.synalta is, another Dr Lau plant
          perhaps? This is the problem with these informal names it is
          not clear where it comes from or what it really is. Another
          Lau plant P.sp Ayautla is still traded under that name
          despite the plant being published as P.gigantea by Hans
          Luhrs. One nursery was (perhaps still is) selling the same
          thing as P.'Golden Wall'!!!!!
          
          So beware of these unofficial names.
          
          Regarding cultivation, many of us now use very open mixtures
          or perlite/vermiculite and sand with only small quantities
          of peat. Such composts allow the development of a good root
          system which may become stunted in peat/sand mixtures.
          
          Dear Alesandro,
          
          your plant may be the 'P.pachuca' which is in circulation -
          its another reasonably attractive form of P.moranensis as
          far as I can tell. Sow your seeds on the same compost I
          recommended for Hans - your greatest enemy is Sciarid fly
          maggots which you may suffer if using peat/sand mixtures.
          These nasty little insects don't like the perlite and
          vermiculite. As its name suggests P.gypsicola grows on
          gypsum so if you can obtain some of this mineral you can
          also incorporate that into your compost. I keep my plants
          dry over winter (once they have formed the winter rosette)
          as I tend to loose them to rotting if I don't.
          
          hope this helps
          
          Kind regards
          
          Loyd

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