RE: Cotyledon cancer?

This kind of proliferative growth is sometimes associated with a mutation that causes an inability to regulate the production of cytokinin.  However, sometimes a virus or fungus can cause the same kind of growth either by inducing the plant to overproduce the hormone in order to reproduce itself in the case of the virus, or to make something else the pathogen needs in the case of the fungus.  In any of these cases, it shouldn’t be much of a danger to other plants, unless it is being caused by a soil-borne organism.  I should think this unlikely in your soil.  I think it would be interesting to monitor it for a while: perhaps keep an eye on nearby plants just in case; try pinching these meristematic regions from some shoots, but not others, to see if the effect is localized.  Take some pictures if you have a digital camera, and I will send them to my plant pathologist friend for fun.  Is every single growing point behaving this way?

 

Karrie Reid

Folsom Foothill Gardener

 

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-medit-plants@ucdavis.edu [mailto:owner-medit-plants@ucdavis.edu] On Behalf Of de Winnaar, Charl
Sent: Monday, June 26, 2006 12:23 AM
To: mediterranean climate gardening e-mail forum for gardeners in these climates throughout the world
Subject: Cotyledon cancer?

 

Hi

 

I have some Cotyledons (Pig's Ear) in a south-facing slope that are showing signs of abnormal growth. Instead of the normal two leaves/buds on the tip of the stem they are sudenly sprouting masses of tiny pairs. It is almost as if the plants have a cancer of sorts. In summer the plants get plenty of sunlight but in winter (now) they get afternoon sun only and have been subject to lots of rain. The slope is sandy and thus well-drained

 

Has anyone had the same experience?

 

Do I need to reposition or remove and destroy the plants? If it is a disease I do not want to infect other stands of the plant nearby.

 

Charl

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