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[SANS] Variegated Sansevierias and a Cheer for Grigsby's

Dear Sanseviaristas-
        I recently got a note from a correspondent. We were discussing both
the quality of certain variegated Sansevieria and the possibility of
producing  variegation by chemical treatment. My associate had purchased
variegated Sanseviaria from a variety of sources that my friend thought
that some might be both natural 'sports'  and others chemically produced
variegates. This friend was quite strong in denouncing certain sources, but
to protect this person's identity and the identity of  the sources of this
person's dissapointing plants, I have revised the note to me to encourage
the use of a source my friend finds to be excellent. This is meant to be a
positive note and encourage users of this list to be concerned about
"bargains." For anonymity sake I have used the term "X" to be a collective
term for various  un-named  sources.

"Dear Dr. Waddick;
         I have spent a little time observing variegated Sansevierias I
have growing here as of late.  It is interesting to note that all the
Grigsby variegates are or have pupped variegated pups, often superior to
the parent. Outstanding pups (equal to and better) than the
parent from Grigsby include cylindrica cylindrica, cylindrica patula,
trifasciata X desertii,' Mason Congo' (over and over), daweii, 'Frosty
Spears' etc.

        Looking at plants purchased from  "X" here, the following have
pupped green (totally) from variegated parents kirkii v. kirkii, 'Mason
Congo', and cylindrica patula.
Two of  "X" originated variegates that produce outstanding variegated pups are
'Baseball Bat' and senegambica.  This is not to mention several varigates
from "X" that struggled and died and never produced.  This includes but is
not limited to kirkii pulchra, kirkii kirkii, zeylanica, cylindrica
cylindrica, and cylindrica patula.

        The moral to this story (at least from here) is that Grigsby
variegates are much more bang for the buck.  Not even a close race.  Funny
how I am not surprised.   From a price standpoint, Grigsby is more
expensive;  for example 'Mason Congo'.  I paid "X" $45 each for some 3-4"
specimens and have not one variegated pup to show, all are green.  I
paid Grigsby anywhere from $60 to $90 for some different 'Mason Congos', all
are well and thriving and have pups of high quality.  While Grigsby's are
more expensive, they come several  times larger (you  can see them in a
pot from across the roomm!) and actually are cheaper for what you get.

        I could look harder and take more notes, but you get the point clearly.
One more thing, the tiny plants from "X" never grow on to full size, they
stay forever small.  Chemical variegating must surely take its toll.  "

        My associate  summed up in saying that plants from Grigsby's were
bigger on arrival. continued to grow and produced more, bigger and better
pups than from other sources. Some plants from other sources ('X'),  he
suspects are the possible result of chemical treatments to produce
variegation, arrived small, did not grow (or very little) and produced few
or green pups.

        So although Grigsby's plant were a tad more expensive at the
beginning my friend  would recommend them as a source for healthy vigorous
variegated Sansevieria.

        My part in this letter is to pass along some positive information.
I think that all of the dissappointing sources of variegated Sansevieria
that my correspondent friend bought from are no longer in the business of
selling plants; so no benefit would be served in passing along 'bad news".
I would be curious to get information from others on this list if you have
had similar experiences or, at the very least,  which of your variegated
cultivars consistently produce good healthy 'pups'.  OR,  if you have had
similar results from variegated plants you know (or suspect) are from
chemically treated plants.

        I'll pass comments along to my variegated Sansevieria enthusiast
friend.

        Thanks for listening            Jim W.


James W. Waddick                        Voice: 816 746 1949
8871 NW Brostrom Rd                     E-MAIL: jim-jim@swbell.net
Kansas City MO 64152            Fax: 816 746 1939
Zone 5/6 -  Winter low  -10 degrees  F    Summer high +100 degrees F
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