Tissue culture question/cultivation practices

From: <ju-bo at msn.com> on 2008.12.28 at 17:56:32(18818) Dear Alison, I have read all the replies, but wonder if Agristarts will be willing to tissue culture this plant. My guess is that they will only do so if it is financially a good move by them.  If you fail with Agristarts, it just MIGHT be a more viable solution to try to replicate it by division.  You say that the owner ''can not divide it'', but maybe if you suggest different (better?) cultural practices, the plant just might be ''encouraged'' to develop divisions.  A while ago Pete Boyce described how certain Alocasias grow in the wild (under natural conditions).   That most in cultivation seem to develop too-long/tall rhizomes and then fall over was explained by the fact that in nature, the leaf fall in the jungle is SO heavy that new litter/compost is constantly being developed around an Alocasia`s elongating/taller rhizome into which supporting roots are produced.  Pete suggested planting these type of Alocasias deeper within a deep pot, leaving space above the original ''soil'' surface within the pot to which leaf compost could be added as the rhizome increased in length.   Some Alocasias also grow seemingly too-tall, then lean/fall over and grow along the ground.  At this stage off-shoots may be produced back along the recumbently growing rhizome, this may be what you guys want to replicate in this one plant, and the off-shoots can be removed.  You could also cut the now way-too-long horizontal rhizome back near its base once there are roots nearer to the growing ''head'', off-shoots will then be produced from joints along the basal section.  Regular fertilization with a WEAK liquid fertilizer will hasten growth. Good Luck, Julius HTML +More From: STARSELL@aol.com Date: Sat, 27 Dec 2008 19:04:19 -0500 To: aroid-l@gizmoworks.com Subject: [Aroid-l] Tissue culture question All,   Would anyone here have a recommendation for a tissue culture lab experienced in aroids?  Specifically Alocasia.   I have found one Alocasia x chantrieri and the owner cannot divide it.  It may be the only one - it seems I have searched the world.    Any help will be much appreciated!     Regards,   Alison Robinson One site keeps you connected to all your email: AOL Mail, Gmail, and Yahoo Mail. Try it now. --_954fe0e5-9980-4447-9880-7de3f8cef19e_----==============22166350463887156=

From: STARSELL at aol.com on 2008.12.31 at 04:37:16(18825) Julius, Thank you so much for your very good information! I never have read that but as I did, I must say I am absolutely sure that is so. I have one Alocasia sedenii that I have allowed to stay long in its' pot; the soil became low from neglect of repotting and it filled with the leaves that fell into it from my yard. Maybe for at least a couple of years. The largest leaves leaned, the rhizomes seemed to lean with the weight of the leaning leaves. Behind them all are many, many 'babies'. HTML +More I will try and translate this to the owner of the A. chantrieri. (I hope it is accurate, it could be some of the only ones left in the States.) Alison In a message dated 12/30/2008 10:25:49 P.M. Central Standard Time, ju-bo@msn.com writes: Dear Alison, I have read all the replies, but wonder if Agristarts will be willing to tissue culture this plant. My guess is that they will only do so if it is financially a good move by them. If you fail with Agristarts, it just MIGHT be a more viable solution to try to replicate it by division. You say that the owner ''can not divide it'', but maybe if you suggest different (better?) cultural practices, the plant just might be ''encouraged'' to develop divisions. A while ago Pete Boyce described how certain Alocasias grow in the wild (under natural conditions). That most in cultivation seem to develop too-long/tall rhizomes and then fall over was explained by the fact that in nature, the leaf fall in the jungle is SO heavy that new litter/compost is constantly being developed around an Alocasia`s elongating/taller rhizome into which supporting roots are produced. Pete suggested planting these type of Alocasias deeper within a deep pot, leaving space above the original ''soil'' surface within the pot to which leaf compost could be added as the rhizome increased in length. Some Alocasias also grow seemingly too-tall, then lean/fall over and grow along the ground. At this stage off-shoots may be produced back along the recumbently growing rhizome, this may be what you guys want to replicate in this one plant, and the off-shoots can be removed. You could also cut the now way-too-long horizontal rhizome back near its base once there are roots nearer to the growing ''head'', off-shoots will then be produced from joints along the basal section. Regular fertilization with a WEAK liquid fertilizer will hasten growth. Good Luck, Julius From: STARSELL@aol.com Date: Sat, 27 Dec 2008 19:04:19 -0500 To: aroid-l@gizmoworks.com Subject: [Aroid-l] Tissue culture question All, Would anyone here have a recommendation for a tissue culture lab experienced in aroids? Specifically Alocasia. I have found one Alocasia x chantrieri and the owner cannot divide it. It may be the only one - it seems I have searched the world. Any help will be much appreciated! Regards, Alison Robinson One site keeps you connected to all your email: AOL Mail, Gmail, and Yahoo Mail. Try it now. = _______________________________________________ Aroid-L mailing list Aroid-L@www.gizmoworks.com http://www.gizmoworks.com/mailman/listinfo/aroid-l One site keeps you connected to all your email: AOL Mail, Gmail, and Yahoo Mail. Try it now. -------------------------------1230698236----==============X45808868933154929=

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