But now I have (You S. Florida folk don't laugh, please.) a Gonatopus
bovinii that finished growing a new, robust petiole, about 1"-1 1/2"" in
diameter, to a height of about 4'. Ahh, it looked great with it's thick
shiny, mottled, glass smooth petiole. Then it sent up a flower stalk, then
another. The flowers have yet to open but the leaves of the plant began to
curl and droop, much like the Typhonium.
I looked for some sort of "bug" explanation but couldn't find any. I waited
for two weeks, but the droop did not improve. Finally, tonight, I unpotted
this thing, ever so gently, to find the roots and tuber in fine shape. I
repotted it, gently, with a fresh mix.
My question now is, what should I do that would be best for the plant. It
has been disrupted, some roots inadvertently torn, and it will not recover
without some help. Do I:
1. cut off both the flower stalks to allow energy back to the plant
2. cut off some of the outer leaves to allow energy back to the plant
3. leave it alone and let whatever happen, happen (The plant is
indestructible, or so I am told.)
I know that babies can be started easily from leaves (not quite as easily as
I am told though). I know this is a weed to some of you. But I am rather
fond of it and am not ready to lose it.
Please advise.
Thank you.
MJ Hatfield
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