Hi all, I love the wonderful Cordyline fruticosa I've seen on this thread. I was thinking of getting some nice ones from Hawaii so I wanted to ask if anyone has had any problems with the material imported from Hawaii? Im primarily worried about viruses like "ti ringspot" which have been a big problem there, primarily problematic in the production of "Ti-leaves" for consumption but by extension ornamentals would be affected too.
I will add the PHD file so things are clearer. I grow a small select number of C. fruticosa cultivars and live in a very very humid wet tropical climate and so far have no problem with viruses. This climate is apparently the best for growing C.fruticosa but also the most conducive to problems on Hawaii. The vectors often being insects, so if I introduce infected material it could spread like wild fire. Problem is not knowing if growers are taking the required measures, mostly chemical to prevent these diseases. Plants often will grow normal just shed prematurely leaving quite scrappy plants behind, so although unsightly growers can continue producing and selling diseased plants.
To leave on a high note here is a very interesting C.fruticosa cultivar I picked up a few months ago in Bangkok. It's still quite small but already showing some very interesting colour. Apparently the leaves get much bigger, broader. The combination of lime green centre stripe sometimes with a white stripe down the very centre and broad red margins are extremely attractive. The red and green persists in the older leaves just becoming somewhat darker. The outline or form of the plant is what caught my eye initially as it's very different, the leaves have a lovely arch to them followed by an upturn at the tip, they also constantly ripple in the breeze. Reminds a lot of the lovely Thai temple roofs. So I call it "Temple roof" as there was no Thai name.
If anyone knows of any exporters of ornamental cultivars on Hawaii who follow the very strict cultural protocols similar to the ones used for producing "Ti-leaves" for "consumption" I would love to know.
Thanks Fanny
Oops I will have to add the picture a bit later as I don't have the speed required to download at the moment, will take a few hours to get it ready.....but the PHD file should download as I already have it on the desk top.
not sure it worked, here's the link in case..... Oops again new members may not post links.....heres part of the F***###!!! link. Yes I fully understand I could be spam the ham. So you will have to add the www part.
ctahr.hawaii.edu/sustainag/news/articles/V19-KawateEtAl-TiLeafDiseases.pdf
