Drosera cistiflora cuttings

From: Erik van Zuilekom (9623426@rgo.sun.ac.za)
Date: Mon Aug 17 1998 - 03:31:27 PDT


Date: Mon, 17 Aug 1998 12:31:27 +0200
From: "Erik van Zuilekom" <9623426@rgo.sun.ac.za>
To: cp@opus.hpl.hp.com
Message-Id: <aabcdefg2702$foo@default>
Subject: Drosera cistiflora cuttings

Greetings all,

I have noticed that amoungst my D. cistfloras from the Ceres and
Winterhoekberg areas here in South Africa, seem to shed a large
amount of leaves during the early-mid growth season. The plants are
generally smaller in rosette to the more robust cistifloras (2-3cm
vs robusts 4-5cm diameter), rather being found in clay soils than the
usual quartzitic/peat mixes the robust cistifloras are more common
to. Even when there is a relatively heavy rain the raindroplets
themselves seem able to dislodge a large amount of the leaves, which
in turn root and propagate relatively easily, mostly without my aid!!
Even the still unopened lamina root easily enough, making me think
that it is more of a natural means of propagation. This is in
contrast with the other more robust variants (Hermanus,etc areas).

Of late, I have found another variant(?) that also responds to heavy
rains or the occasional tug (ouch!) in the same way as mentioned
above, yet has a rosette measuring around 4-5cm. The plant doesn't
send out a stem as long as the robust cistifloras (5cm from base to
end of flowering tip vs. robusts 20-25cm from base to tip). The
smaller rosetted "less-robust" variants have stems averaging on 20cm.

Has anyone had any experience withposting lamina as a substitute
for seed or rooted cuttings...? The leaves are easily severed and
seal relatively quickly, why worry about waiting for seed and the
related time till maturity ?
If I am to use this in trade, how would be the best way to package
and seal the plants for posting ? Vermiculite/sphagnum, fungicides,
etc ?

Any comments appreciated (whince!!) All the best,
  Erik
___________________________ _____________________________
>>>**Erik van Zuilekom**<<< E-mail:9623426@rgo.sun.ac.za
117 Panorama Drive Phone: (027) 021 99-1807 Stellenryk 7530 Fax: (027)
021 99-8108 Cape Town, South Africa. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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