sick sarr

Barry Meyers-Rice (barry@as.arizona.edu)
Wed, 25 May 94 10:27:49 MST

Hmm. Regarding those strange growths on the Sarrs, most curious.
Sometimes I see a leaf formed which has the strange corkscrew twist,
as you describe it. But usually these happen to species that are phyllodia
forming, like leuc, flava, alata. Maybe the alata in that alata x minor
expressing itself. I don't know what causes it, but it doesn't alarm me.

The psittacina is a different matter, and it sounds like it is fighting
for life. If possible, I suggest replanting it into a pure live Sphagnum
mix, using your fluffiest Sphagnum available---preferably established
stuff. Clean off all dead and rotted growth. Unfortunately, sometimes
when a Sarr starts producing lots of little distorted and short-lived
leaves as you describe, its days are numbered. Keep it moist but not
soaked, and maybe it will pull through. Meanwhile, keep it from all your
other plants. While I've never encountered them, I understand there are
some pests which can bore into the rhizome which would be very bad.
Very ominous behavior.

Barry