Sowing Mexican Pinguicula Seeds: Medium, pH, and Tips

A grower has P. moranensis and P. cyclosecta seeds and asks about planting medium: should it be less acidic (add lime)? Is perlite alone okay? Available materials: agricultural lime, osmunda fiber, tree fern fiber, cocopeat, perlite.

Medium Recommendations

Christopher advises:

• Mexican Pinguicula tolerate various mixes but prefer neutral to slightly alkaline conditions (they grow on limestone in nature).
• Good mixes: equal parts perlite + sphagnum peat, or vermiculite + perlite + peat.
• Add lime sand to reduce acidity.
• Avoid cocopeat—often contains harmful additives.
• Use fine, granulated medium on top; sow seeds on surface, barely cover.
• Keep moist (not wet), high humidity (bag over pot helps).
• Repot yearly to refresh soil.

Easier Propagation: Leaf Pullings

When repotting, pull 2–3 healthy basal leaves with white root material. Lay flat on soil; plantlets sprout in 3–4 weeks. Works even at 50% humidity.

Christopher