Re: [Aroid-l] Leaf fertilization - A.titanum 'ghost'

From: "W. George Schmid" hostahill at bellsouth.net> on 2005.06.13 at 17:02:59(13008) Somehow, Ken, this tree gets rid of all white branches in short order. The first season it usually loses the white leaves somewhat prematurely and does not replace them. The branch may sprout white leaves again the next season, but usually by the third season it is dry and dead. This tree is mature and about 20 ft tall and develops the all-white-leaved branches closest to the ground only. The whole thing is strange, as is comes and goes: Some years it has the white-leaved branches, others it does not. Seems like the tree "knows" which branches contribute to its survival and which do not. I am no tree expert (my chosen fields are limited areas of botany and taxonomy), but perhaps someone schooled in tree physiology can explain what is happening. George +More W. George Schmid Hosta Hill - Tucker Georgia USA Zone 7a - 1188 feet AMSL 84-12'-30" West_33-51' North Outgoing e-mail virus checked by NAV ----- Original Message ----- To: "Discussion of aroids" Sent: Sunday, June 12, 2005 19:53 Subject: Re: [Aroid-l] Leaf fertilization - A.titanum 'ghost' > It's interesting to hear about George's variegated maple that produces > non-viable branches with all-white leaves. I would have guessed, if I'd > seen it in a nursery, that the "healthy" parts of the plant would sustain > the mutant branch. I wonder about the process that shuts down a non food > producing branch. It's clearly beneficial to the rest of the tree to get > rid of that branch. > > -Ken _______________________________________________ Aroid-l mailing list Aroid-l@gizmoworks.com http://www.gizmoworks.com/mailman/listinfo/aroid-l

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