Re: Platycodon

In a message dated 99-08-20 00:02:57 EDT, Jean wrote:

>> I have a blue platycondon in bloom now and it has one stem, coming off
 another strong stem that is pale yellow. On this pale yellow stem are some
 leaves that are variegated, yellow and green. Would it be possible to
 isolate this stem and cultivate it?<<

Jean -- 

I think it's possible that the 'variegation' you are seeing is actually a 
viral infection.  A mosaic pattern of yellow and green on leaves is a symptom 
of viral disease that is often mistaken for variegation.  There have even 
been 'variegated' plants put on the market that were later discovered to have 
been created by a virus.  

Even if it is a virus, if you are successful in propagating your plant you 
can expect variegated offspring because viruses colonize a plant's DNA and 
attach themselves to the RNA. In simple terms, the offspring will inherit the 
disease.  

Your plant may not be suffering from a virus. Viral diseases are not all that 
common and Platycodon is known to be quite disease free.  But I do think 
since this variegation is occuring on only one stem it might be more likely 
to be a symptom than a trait.  

Don't panic.  Viruses do not kill a plant because in order to live themselves 
they need a living host.  But they will sap the plants strength.

Not much is known about viruses.  Only recently has new technology allowed 
scientists to study them well.    Some people (myself among them) speculate 
that all variegation in plants might be the result of viral disease.  That 
would explain why variegated plants are not as vigorous as their 
solid-colored counterparts.  

Jean, I do not want to put a damper on your enthusiasm.  I offer this just 
because I think it is interesting.  

--Janis


 

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