i have 3 elephant ears, all of which came from the same parent. one of them is not like the other two. it had leaves that are sometimes cupped, sometimes variegated, and sometimes both any ideas about what this is and why it is like this??
this is a cupped plain green leaf. these picture were taken with my phone so they are kinda bad
this is the inside of a newer cupped leaf that is larger and has very little variegation
this is the newest leaf that has much more variegation and is not cupped... at least so far it isn't
LOL i have no idea
This cupped up look can be caused by slight mutations in the plant similar to throwing out a false flower or double leaf or fused leaf. This is usually seen in hybrid plants or tetriploid plants. It is usually just a one or two time thing and the plant will grow out of it. In some cases it may become stable. I would keep a eye on it.
As for the blotches this is something I have been noticing for sometime on Colocasias and Alocasias. I don't think anyone is going to be happy with the rest of my message here. I am sure what you are seeing as odd blotches streaking in the leaves is in fact a virus. This seems to be a form of Mosaic virus. It looks to be the same virus effecting Cannas and I have even started seeing it on bananas. It can be spread from any sap transfer. This virus will not kill the plant and at times it may look completely gone if grown in good conditions but under stress or if heavily virused it will show up. It seems this virus will effect any Aroid so do be careful when cutting plants or using digging tools. From what I have gathered their are many forms of mosaic virus most can be in plants and never show a sign or even effect the growth of the plant. The problem is an Asian form of the virus that has been sweeping through the US for a number of years. This virus weakens the plant and can effect growth and vigor. Also if combined with other forms of the virus it can really effect a plants growth and at times even cause death. Most cannas tested had several forms of virus in them with no visual signs of it. All forms with this new Asian form of the virus all showed signs at least at some point while growing.
I am interested to hear what others think and have to say about this. Much like with cannas it is something I have deal with every day. Their seems little hope for a cure of the virus anytime soon. The best for now is clean tissue cultured plants.
Here is a picture of a virused black marble.
well at least the virus looks nice. i guess it is like the mosaic virus in plumerias that i am familiar with already. i will dig it up and isolate it so that it wont spread. actually maybe i'll pull it up so that i dont damage or open any of the roots of the healthy plants. then i'll just pot it up
thanks for the info
how does the virus spread??
This message was edited Aug 24, 2008 1:47 AM
Well the only well known way the virus is being spread is from sap transfer this is the only positive way we know it is being spread. The fact is it seems at times jump or spread quickly to other plants. This maybe caused by insects. At the rate it spreads it will soon be in everyones yard and collections. The worst part was it was introduced to some larger canna companies years ago and rather than destroy their stock they sold them across the US. This helped spread the virus like wild fire. Some plants carry the virus and show no signs other have signs from time to time. It is pretty much impossible to say for certain that any plant does or does not have the virus.
ok...so i guess i'll disinfect my tools i used on them. do you know if this can jump to plumerias? there is a plumeria mosaic virus that makes nice cultivars worthless, and i really want to protect mine from this virus.
It seems this can spread to plumerias as well so protecting them from this is something I would suggest.
ok thanks... i just foud a ton of my illustris with it. i took 2 runners from my chicago harlequin to keep them isolated in case the mama gets it
