Pinguicula gypsicola x "sethos"

I have been growing Pinguicula for more than thirty years, and gypsicola crossed with "sethos" is one of the stranger and more rewarding Mexican butterwort hybrids in my greenhouse right now. gypsicola is the parent doing the strange work here: narrow, upright summer leaves that curl down each winter into a tight, almost corkscrew rosette of succulent growth, more reef than windowsill. "sethos" is itself a hybrid of ehlersiae and moranensis, and it brings size, heavier flowering, and real hybrid vigor to the cross. What you end up with is a plant that keeps gypsicola's odd, sculptural shape but grows faster and colors up harder under strong light, leaves shifting from green toward a deep rose pink.

Like every Pinguicula I sell, this one earns its keep. The sticky glandular leaves are genuinely effective at catching fungus gnats, which are the most common pest complaint I hear from people growing other carnivorous plants or houseplants nearby. Set one of these on a windowsill or under lights next to your collection and it will quietly handle some pest control while it grows.

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## Care at a Glance

**Light** — Bright indirect to direct light. More light means deeper pink color, especially through the warmer months.

**Water** — Distilled water, rainwater, or reverse osmosis only. Tap water minerals build up fast in this genus. Use the tray method during active growth.

**Soil** — A well draining, low nutrient mix. I use a perlite heavy blend or a purpose made Pinguicula mix.

**Temperature** — 60 to 85°F. No frost tolerance, so bring it in before the first freeze.

**Dormancy** — Expect smaller, succulent winter leaves as gypsicola's genetics take over that time of year. Cut back on water while it is in this phase.

**Humidity** — Adaptable. No terrarium required, an open windowsill works fine.

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## Shipping

Your plant ships bare root, packed carefully for transit. Pot it up as soon as it arrives in a well draining, low nutrient mix. A perlite heavy blend or purpose made Pinguicula soil works well.

If your order arrives in winter, do not be surprised to see it already settling into its succulent dormancy phase with smaller, tighter leaves. That is normal for this cross. Hold off on heavy watering until it is clearly back in active growth.