June 19, 2007

Leaf Rot (2) {plant 2}

Some of the cut edges seemed to be turning yellow at a very slow rate. This may not be a wound infection (though still possible) as the open wounds had dried up well initially and the yellowing only started about 2 weeks after the operation. Furthermore, the rate of yellowing is far too slow for it to be a normal leaf rot.

Below are a few possible reasons that I can think of:

1. Due to rust on the gardening scissors.

2. The blades of the scissors were still warm/hot when the operation was done, thus killing
the healthy tissue. Unlike healthy tissues, the dead tissues may lack natural defense
against fungi and bacteria from entering.

3. The open wounds were not treated with chemicals to ensure that they do not become infected.

4. Transportation of water and nutrients through the veins to regions of the leaves between the cut wedges was disrupted, thus resulting in insufficient water and nutrients for those regions of the leaves to function properly.

5. The plant was stressed and weakened from the transportation into Singapore, change of environment, remounting, etc. Hence, the plant's immunity system is lowered and cannot fight off fungi or bacteria invasion.

6. Yellowing of cut edges is the plant's natural reaction to wedge cutting.

7. Wedge cutting simply do not work.

The plant will not be treated with any chemical for observation of how the yellowing progresses.

No comments: