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Stunting Sansevierias

Dear John,

This stunting phenomenon is found not only in Sansevieria, it is also
documented for Agave. Agave pumila Baker is a miniature when grown in a pot
but grows into a much larger plant when planted out in the ground. See H.S.
Gentry (1982) "Agaves of Continental North America" for a full account. I
wonder if those miniature Japanese Agave cultivars would do the same?

Is there a name for this stunting phenomenon? Could we call it the "Bonsai
Effect"?

The stunting in Sanseviera trifasciata 'Hahnii' is a result of the plant
being a perpetual juvenile forming only cataphylls and never the adult
leaves. That would apparently be genetically controlled but has yet to be
proven experimentally. It could possibly also occur in other species, such
as Sans. 'Mason Congo', as well!

Cereusly Steve

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

•Subject: Re: [SANS] Sans.canaliculata dwarf & 'Mason Congo' (Baby)
•From: John Gamesby NewEarth <john.gamesby@AZTEKIUM.OCTACON.CO.UK> •Date:
Mon, 26 Jul 1999 00:05:25 +0100
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I Have bought four plants of Sansevieria canaliculata Dwarf and
each time the leaves have all ended up more than 3' long, though
three of them were very slow growing. I do remember some
discussion about S. canaliculata taking place on cacti_etc a long
time ago. The majority of Members then stated that their plants
eventually grew into the normal canaliculata and a few said their
plants had remained dwarf. I would agree with Stephen here that it is
probably cultural practices pot size, watering, feeding regime
amount of direct sunlight all of which will help or hinder growth.
There may be a smaller form of canaliculata but does that make for
a different plant, at a species level I doubt it.
ON about dwarf's I do have a clone of Sansevieria 'Mason Congo'
baby? That I was given and am surprised to report that up till now
the largest leaf is 4" tall. The cutting was received as a single piece
of rhizome and leaf. Now one year on there are four leaves and
none of them show any signs of growing up. A bit early to say for
definite, as we all know things can change with Sansevierias in 3
years. Anyone ever come across this supposedly dwarf clone?

Latha math an-Drasda  John
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