Potinara-New shoot is white?

[quiltergal]

Helen when the new leads are under the bark in the dark they don't have the ability to photosynthesize, and therefore cannot produce chlorophyl which makes the plant green. Once it hits the light it will green up quickly.

[Helen]

Thanks....does this happen often? if so, then I'll look out for them in future...

[Helen]

Originally Posted by quiltergal

Helen when the new leads are under the bark in the dark they don't have the ability to photosynthesize, and therefore cannot produce chlorophyl which makes the plant green. Once it hits the light it will green up quickly.

Another question.. .now that the little new lead has turned green, my question is...why is it so small?? It is no way near the large one that I had to cut off... does this mean it does not have enough nutrients? or it has been thru too many problems since March? Again, I'm confused!
thanks
Helen

[Ray]

Originally Posted by quiltergal

Helen when the new leads are under the bark in the dark they don't have the ability to photosynthesize, and therefore cannot produce chlorophyl which makes the plant green.

Actually, that's backwards, isn't it? I thought chlorophyll was green.

It really doesn't matter, as the plant has no need for chlorophyll in areas not exposed to light, so it amounts to the same thing...

Also, growths being smaller is directly related to the health and nutrition of the plant.

[quiltergal]

So Ray, are you saying the chlorophyll is already present in the bud just not activated until it hits sunlight? If not where does the chlorophyll come from? My biology is a little rusty.

Helen, I agree with Ray. You may not be feeding enough, and your little plant has already expended a lot of energy on the first growth that rotted and had to be cut back, plus you repotted. It's probably a little stressed. I'm sure it will do better next year.