Date: Fri, 11 Jun 1999 11:46:11 -0400 From: Tom Massey <massey@hal.fmhi.usf.edu> To: cp@opus.hpl.hp.com Message-Id: <aabcdefg2118$foo@default> Subject: RE: Slow growing Nepenthes and flogging a dead horse
Phil:
Okay, this may explain the situation in part. As you don't use multiplier
hormones maybe you escape the problem. Thats good to know.
But unless I misunderstand, it is a little unfortunate because the
"promise of TC" was the ability to generate thousands of plants in order
to increase availability for the enthusiast, relieve pressure from
collecting in the wild, and so on. (As for example the millions of VFTs
produced in this way.) If Neps. cannot be produced with the same quality
and efficiency as VFTs, enthusiasts may sour on the commercial production
of these plants and we are back where we started.
And yes of course, Neps don't have a _dormant bud_, I said dominant bud -
poor terminology perhaps. What I meant was that I have seen very young
plants growing in pots where the apical meristem simply stopped growing,
followed shortly thereafter with a proliferation of new growth points.
And not just the next lower node, but multiple nodes and multiple growth
points from one node - much as I have seen in tissue culture. I suspected
some residual hormone problem.
Well, enough beating a dead horse. And just so everyone understands, I was
not referring to any TC source in particular, I have no axe to grind. And
I have heard good things about your plants, Phil so my questions were not
aimed at you specifically.
Tom in Fl.
-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, June 11, 1999 10:52 AM
To: Multiple recipients of list
Tom Masey wrote
A plant of maybe an inch across
stalls and then starts producing all kinds of divisions. So if the
Cytokins and Auxins are hard to get rid of, do you neutralize them in some
way, are you saying you don't use them, or maybe something else? I do not
do TC work, but my observations have led me to suspect that the TC hormones
for some plants/ some TC'ers/ some formulas/ etc. etc. might lead to plants
that are unable to produce roots, are unable to produce a dominant bud.
Tom
I'm not familiar with what you mention as 'stalls' I have not seen this in
the glasshouse, where I gather you are
refering to. Yes in culture, this happens frequently with most species. I
use this natural method for division.
As I stated, I don't use hormones as I found they are residual and very
hard
to get rid off. I guess then
that if they are used heavily for production of large numbers there is
always a chance of adverse effects
showing at later stages. Someone who uses these hormones would be better
qualified on this subject.
You must also remember that cultures normally do not induce root growth
unless hormones are added or
the plants stressed. Nepenthes are able to absorb their nutrients and
moisture through the leaves and
therefore have no need for roots in culture. I always treat my plantlets
with rooting hormone when
deflasking. I don't know what you refer to a "dormant bud" as Nepenthes do
not require dormancy.
Regards
Phill Mann
P.O. Box 193
Harvey 6220
Western Australia
Philmann@geo.net.au
pd05524@wapol.gov.au
http:/geo.net.au/~philmann
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