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  juvenile vs. adult
From: Alektra at aol.com on 2002.11.25 at 05:11:15(9639)
Thanks, everybody, for explaining about Epipremnum aureus (what I was
calling common pothos). Now about this "adult form" versus "juvenile form"
thing... I've also heard about this change in looks for common green vining
philodendrum (whatever THAT is really called).

And I think I've actually seen something like this sort of change in a very
unrelated houseplant, the thing sold as "aloe vera," so maybe this is not an
uncommon process across the vegetative world? Of course "aloe vera" doesn't
climb, but the change in appearance is very striking.

Let me review the process for aroids as I understand it, what we see growing
in the florist's little pot is a juvenile form that looks very little like
the adult. I sense from cryptic discussions I've read elsewhere that the
switch to an adult form requires at least a tall moist standard for the vine
to cling to and climb, plus copious amounts of sunlight.

Please correct me on the above. Then, my questions (sorry they're so basic
but I would guess there may be someone else on this list who doesn't know
this stuff), for anybody to answer:

1) Does this happen only to vining aroids?
2) Besides lots of light, does this also require lots of heat and numidity?
3) So can this be done indoors under home conditions without a greenhouse?
Can this be done in a greenhouse? Is this strictly for outdoors in tropical
climates?

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From: "Plantsman" plantsman at prodigy.net> on 2002.11.25 at 16:48:08(9641)
Seems like I remember the common heart-leafed philodendron vine
is/was named Philodendron oxycardium.

I've seen older Aloe vera that were almost unrecognizable from the
juvenile form: the color was much deeper and the wide leaf margins
were quite "spikey".

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From: "Harry Witmore" harrywitmore at witmore.net> on 2002.11.25 at 17:18:02(9642)
This is really common among aroids. I have a Philodendron scandens that is
climbing the side of my greenhouse and the leaves are beginning to get
progressively larger. The leaves now are about 8 inches across. It's also
happening to a Syngonium in the same greenhouse. But' I also have a Monstera
deliciosa that is running across the ground in my greenhouse and the leaf is
about 2 feet across. It was an escapee from a pot. The parent pot leaves are
about 1 foot across.

It's also happening to ivy in my front yard. When it reaches the tops of the
trees, the leaves are considerably larger in size than it is on the ground.

I can happen in a relatively small space but I think the key is how high it
can get and how much light.

Harry Witmore

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From: MossyTrail at cs.com on 2002.11.25 at 19:23:26(9643)
In a message dated 11/25/2002 8:23:11 AM Pacific Standard Time,
Alektra@aol.com writes:

> 1) Does this happen only to vining aroids?

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From: "Julius Boos" ju-bo at msn.com> on 2002.11.26 at 10:24:40(9645)
Hello Again,

I suggest that you purchase Deni Bown`s book 'Aroids', most major bookstores
carry it.

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From: "Eduardo Goncalves" edggon at hotmail.com> on 2002.11.26 at 12:17:55(9646)
Dear fellow (I coudn't find your name in the message),

Here follows my contributions to your question. Probably you will get
much more then this.

1) Does this happen only to vining aroids?

Nope. Noticeable changes in leaf form also occurs in terrestrial tuberous
plants. Leaves in Taccarum warmingii are triangular hastate when young, then
it has pinatelly compound leaves. Spathantheum usually have a cordate leaf
when young, that are usually deeply incised in mature plants. Sometimes,
adult plants can even keep cordate leaves. However, I think that most of the
incredible changes occurs in vining aroids, like shingle plants (Monstera).

2) Besides lots of light, does this also require lots of heat and numidity?

I can see no direct relationship, but if you have more heat and
humidity, you plant will grow faster! In my experience, if you give a good
support for the growing plants (i.e., a totem or a nice tree), it will
change from a juvenile plant to an adult plant, whatever the time it takes.
I really think that the presence of a stem attached to the substrate is more
important than the light. Climbing plants growing with full sun, but no
totem, usually will not yield adult stems.

3) So can this be done indoors under home conditions without a greenhouse?

Yes, if you have enough light and a proper totem to climb. Room enough
as well!

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From: "Julius Boos" ju-bo at msn.com> on 2002.11.28 at 18:43:48(9662)
Hello Deni!

Good to hear your 'voice'.
Just a point, but I had quite a conversation w/ Peter Boyce some time ago
about the correct name for the 'common pothos' which you report to be
Epipremium aureum. Peter explained the this vari. plant had been REFERED
to the species E. aureum, as the cultivated plant resembled the
herb. specimens of wild-collected E. aureum, but that he had never felt
totally 'comfortable' with that determination. He went on to say that he
was pretty excited as he believed that he had just found the TRUE source of
the
cultivated plant, some remote Island in Indonesia I believe. This wild
plant was a GOOD match for the cultivated plant, was NOT E. aurium, and he
intended to describe it as a new species.

Hope that things go well for you! STILL enjoying my copy of 'Aroids'!

Best Wishes,

Julius Boos.

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