RE: Contractile roots

From: Wilbert Hetterscheid <hetter at vkc.nl> on 1997.09.09 at 13:10:13(1193) Rand, Yes, it would indeed grow in the old cavity which is in line with what Don Bittel said. But there is always that moment when there is less tuber than cavity at which time the plant needs to be anchored or it would become unstable. I have seen this in my own collection and it is known from plants in the wild: if you dig them out when the leaf has just emerged, you may not find a shred of tuber and the petiole is kept in place by the horizontal contractile roots and the soil surrounding the base of it. Cheers, Wilbert +More > ---------- > From: Rand Nicholson[SMTP:writserv@nbnet.nb.ca] > Reply To: aroid-l@mobot.org > Sent: maandag 8 september 1997 21:36 > To: hetter@VKC.NL > Subject: RE: Contractile roots > > >Don Bittel's answer to Mike Bordelon's question has one flaw. > >Amorphophallus DO have contractile roots. Just have a look at older > >roots at the top of the tuber when you take one out. It is especially > >noticeable on larger plants. The "drop in the hole" idea will > certainly > >be true but without the contractile roots, the whole structure would > >tumble to its side for lack of anchorage. > > > >Wilbert > > Would the new tuber not also grow into the old cavity as the old tuber > collapses? > > Rand > > >

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