This shows another example on a new hybrid of mine with P. loegrenii 'Iporanga' as the male parent. The female parent is not prone to this. This sudden wilt of the leaves and petioles occured very quickly in a young plant, newly planted outside after exposure to a lot of wind, when the roots although healthy were not adequate. Mauro Peixoto reports from Brazil that in the very high humidity levels the plants usually grow in this does not happen, but there may be other factors that are also important. I have asked Kew Gardens about this in the past and they have referred me to Dr John Vanderplank. When John last visited my garden we discussed the phenomenon but he could not shed any light on it. Dr Les King has seen his P. loefgrenii 'Corupa' affected where it came into contact with a very hot conservatory roof. I have also seen long lengths of my P. loefgrenii 'Corupa' affected as a result of frost damage, with the plant recovering well nearer the base when conditions improved in Spring. In other words it will not continue to travel back down to the main stem if conditions become more favourable again. |