Mexican Pinguicula Propagation

Pinguicula 'Aphrodite' (bottom)
Pinguicula false John Rizzi (top)

One of the incredibly difficult things for me to do until recently was propagate Mexican Pinguicula through leaf pullings. A look at various carnivorous plant books or a quick Google search will reveal a bunch of methods with varying strike rates. Recently, I developed a method which seems to have a very, very high strike rate. The key: lack of water.

Now, that sounds odd for carnivorous plants - lack of water. We're used to seeing photos of swamps full of Sarracenia, and used to rooting our cuttings in high-water content mixes/area. But, as far as Mexican Pinguicula go, lack of water is key for robust rooting. As strange as it may sound, Mexican Pinguicula really do root best in an environment that is very close to one in which succulents thrive.

Pinguicula  jaumavensis

Okay, so here's the method:

1. Create your Ping mix. Although I had been using 1:1:1:1 milled sphagnum:sand:perlite:turface, which the plants loved, I had a hard time obtained turface (and now perlite), I've been experimenting with media a bit and found that mixes with lava rock (which probably contains calcium) is very much enjoyed by the Pings. 
2. Put Ping mix in a pot. I like to use a clear, drain-hole-less takeout container, so I can place it into a tray with water and control the amount of water going to it, but whatever you use is probably fine.
3. Take leaf pullings. Some people say the age of the leaf matters - new leaves will give you better results than old leaves, but I'm not sure it matters too much.
4. Place leaf pullings on top of soil, covering them lightly on the ends with soil.
5. Place under grow lights, or wherever you are growing your Mexican Pings.
6. Water from here on out via misting with a spray bottle full of water. Usually, I water once a day, meaning the media is pretty dry most of the time and bone dry for a period. 

Honestly, it's that simple. Basically, just treat the leaf pullings as you would treat succulent leaf pullings and you're all set. (You'll also see, depending on your watering methods, that when you move the plantlets, they'll be well anchored by deep roots. My thought on this is that Pings which seem to have shallow roots are probably getting too much water. Watering needs to be reduced in those cases to nearer succulent levels, i.e. a daily misting. Since reducing watering, my P. 'Aphrodite' has grown tremendously, reaching about 6" across, and my P. gigantea is approaching 8" across, much larger than previously).

One final note, you might consider this an addendum to my Growing Guide: Mexican Pinguicula.