Strange leaves of P. gypsicola
Pinguicula macrophylla is an odd bulb forming species that grows large leaves with thin petioles in the summer. It belongs to section Orcheosanthus, making it closely related to species like moranensis, colimensis, etc. It's interesting to note the original population found may be another closely related species, P. acuminata. Found growing in the humid, cool highlands of the state of Guanajuato, Mexico, this plant is often found alongside agave and sedum. The summer habitats are wet while the winter ones dry, similar to P. gypiscola. However, instead of creating a rosette of densely packed leaves, Pinguicula macrophylla instead dies down to a bulb partially buried in the soil. It can remain in this bulbous form for weeks, requiring little to no water.
Currently growing this plant in an all mineral mix of perlite, crushed coral, and vermiculite. As of the first picture (12/20/21) the plant is starting to die down to it's bulbous form. I plan to keep the pot almost bone dry during this period, only starting to give small amounts of water in late spring when leaves start to emerge. I have not grown this species for long, but when in it's carnivorous summer phase, care is not different from any other Mexican Pinguicula.
Growing Conditions: Grow Rack, Windowsill
Light: Very bright LED, 14" under a Marshydro 300w
Soil: Crushed Coral, vermiculite, perlite, sand
Temperatures: Room temperatures around 74F to 84F (winter to summer months)
Humidity: No added humidity, ambient household humidity
Watering: Watered using the tray method, flooded weekly but not allowed to stand in water. Watering is almost completely stopped in winter
Care Level: Medium/difficult, while summer growth is easy and similar to other pings, keeping the winter dryness can be tricky to get right
Source: Rainbow Carnivorous Plants
Currently growing this plant in an all mineral mix of perlite, crushed coral, and vermiculite. As of the first picture (12/20/21) the plant is starting to die down to it's bulbous form. I plan to keep the pot almost bone dry during this period, only starting to give small amounts of water in late spring when leaves start to emerge. I have not grown this species for long, but when in it's carnivorous summer phase, care is not different from any other Mexican Pinguicula.
Growing Conditions: Grow Rack, Windowsill
Light: Very bright LED, 14" under a Marshydro 300w
Soil: Crushed Coral, vermiculite, perlite, sand
Temperatures: Room temperatures around 74F to 84F (winter to summer months)
Humidity: No added humidity, ambient household humidity
Watering: Watered using the tray method, flooded weekly but not allowed to stand in water. Watering is almost completely stopped in winter
Care Level: Medium/difficult, while summer growth is easy and similar to other pings, keeping the winter dryness can be tricky to get right
Source: Rainbow Carnivorous Plants
