Crispin Rosales- Shy with roots! HELP!
 

SOOOOOO.....

I've had Blc. Mem. Crispin Rosales "Carmela" AM/AOS for many years. It was growing and blooming just fine, but really not putting out more than one or two roots per growth, that maybe grew to an inch long.

After time, this took its toll on the plant and it has declined to three small growths. I can't figure out why it is so reluctant to put out good roots. I have tried various mixes, pot styles, mounting... can't figure it out! All of my other catts grow roots like crazy!

The remaining piece of the plant is very healthy. I removed it from its mount yesterday (to which it never took!) and put it in a small black pot with some plain old bark and charcoal. The plant is packed in, and staked so that it doesn't move.

Has anybody had this problem with old-fashioned unifoliates before???? Any tips or tricks to coax out a healthy root system?????????

I suspect there is something wrong with this clone. I have it as well, and mine behaves the same: won't grow roots worth a damn. Maybe this has always been a fussy clone, or perhaps it suffered damage/mutation in tissue culture ( it's been cloned and cloned and cloned). Some have speculated that it has a systemic pathogen in it that suppresses its health. I'm ready to throw mine out.

Have you asked Carmela's how theirs grows?

Maybe it is a weakened clone? Though, I remember when I got it straight from Odom's in FL that it had a tremendous root system! Who knows. The plant is still healthy-looking, but greatly reduced in size. Even with the humid Carolina summer, it does the same thing- crappy roots! Maybe I'll try another large purple. Such a shame though... this one has incredible flowers!!!

Have you tried any root stimulants?

Such as?

Drna-gro K-L-N or Superthrive.

Superthrive is snake oil, IMO

That is your opinion not mine.

Quite correct :-)