Re: Curving Scraggly Alata Typica
MARTIN HENERY (MHENERY@rna.bio.mq.edu.au)
Fri, 21 Jun 1996 15:02:23 GMT+1000
> Eric >
> > But it looks anorexic. Rather than a tube, the pitcher looks more like a
> > colored piece of spagetti. (No offense to Italians) The skinny 14" high
> > pitcher tube is hardly thicker than the petiole; not widening noticeably until
> > just before the mouth, which is almost the same diameter as a pencil. The
> > wierd looking shape is long and sraggly with _2_ 90 degree bends in it.
> > It grows 9" up, 2" across, and then 5" back up again.
>
> > Does anyone have experience with these that could offer some insight?
>
I have seen this phenomena on various Sarracenia species but as above I
was mystified as to the cause. I have seen that the deformed small
pitchers can be caused by sucking insects feeding during the development
of the pitcher. eg. Mealy bugs or aphids which reside and feed right near
the leaf bases.
However I have also seen the described pitchers on other plants in full
sun which have subsequently reverted to normal healthy pitchers after a
period of poorly formed traps.
I would suggest repotting or more light as suitable treatments
Cheers
Martin Henery