What is happening with this Deppea splendens?

[troposphere]

Last fall I acquired two Deppea splendens plants:

1) mail ordered from Logees

2) purchased at the San Francisco Botanical Garden fall sale

The SFBG plant was already in a gallon plastic pot, and the Logees plant I put into a gallon pot.  They both grew a bit and enjoyed a Bay Area autumn.  Over the winter they both went semi-dormant and slowed growth, dropping a few leaves at the same rate.  With warmer temperatures in early May, they both started putting on new growth but the SFBG plant has recovered much better, with bigger, more numerous and darker green leaves.  The Logees plant is struggling.  I live in Pacifica, California, 2 miles from the ocean, in a valley protected by 500foot hills.

It seems like the winter set back the Logees plant a lot more.

Could this be a clonal difference?  I'm assuming that the SFBG plant is a cutting from one of their Deppeas.  And maybe the Logees plant is some other clone.  If they are both the same clone, do plants have a memory when it comes to cold hardiness?  I'm assuming the Logees plant is a cutting from a giant stock plant that's been sitting in a greenhouse it's whole life.

Here is a pic

[Silas_Sancona]

58 minutes ago, troposphere said:

Last fall I acquired two Deppea splendens plants:

1) mail ordered from Logees

2) purchased at the San Francisco Botanical Garden fall sale

The SFBG plant was already in a gallon plastic pot, and the Logees plant I put into a gallon pot.  They both grew a bit and enjoyed a Bay Area autumn.  Over the winter they both went semi-dormant and slowed growth, dropping a few leaves at the same rate.  With warmer temperatures in early May, they both started putting on new growth but the SFBG plant has recovered much better, with bigger, more numerous and darker green leaves.  The Logees plant is struggling.  I live in Pacifica, California, 2 miles from the ocean, in a valley protected by 500foot hills.

It seems like the winter set back the Logees plant a lot more.

Could this be a clonal difference?  I'm assuming that the SFBG plant is a cutting from one of their Deppeas.  And maybe the Logees plant is some other clone.  If they are both the same clone, do plants have a memory when it comes to cold hardiness?  I'm assuming the Logees plant is a cutting from a giant stock plant that's been sitting in a greenhouse it's whole life.

Here is a pic

Tough to say, but the Logees plant looks hungry, imo..  The head start the plant from SFBG had, already settling in it's container when purchased, and not having to get itself going when stepped up into a bigger pot could also factor into the difference in vigor you're seeing atm.. A little yellow right now, yes.. but don't see any reason it shouldn't catch up over the summer.  Know many nurseries that propagate from cutting stock taken from older " Mother" plants  and one would be hard pressed to tell the difference between the resulting new plants taken from the older specimens vs. cuttings taken from say a younger plant, or even plants started from seed itself.

All that said, Definitely possible the plant Logees takes their cutting stock from might be a different clone than the specimen SFBG might use.. Something only comparing DNA between the two plants will answer.

As far as any possible "memory?".. Again, definitely possible.. but also debatable.

I myself lean toward the latter, and not just when it comes to cold hardiness..  Like pretty much any other living thing, plants likely possess numerous latent factors ( or whatever someone wants to call it ) acquired through the long process of evolution that, for example, allows me to grow things from Central or Southern Florida, or India.. in the much drier / hotter climate of Central Arizona, or up in San Jose with relative ease. Somewhere in a plant's genetics are characteristics that may give it enough flexibility to handle much different growing conditions than it may currently enjoy where it is currently native to,  locally or regionally.. Or greatly restrict where it will grow..

[Darold Petty]

Even though all horticultural Deppea originated from Dr. Breedlove's original collection, clonal variety has developed.  San Marcos Growers sells one they call ' Cristobal'.  I have that one.  One of the SF Bromeliad Society members has one that is noticebly different.  I don't recall the source of his plant.  An easy grower here in SF.  My plant has suffered a lot of damage from falling Rhopalostylis fronds.

[troposphere]

thanks for your reply!  Those are all very valid points.  That one plant DOES look a little hungry.  They are on the same exact fertilizer schedule.

 

 

[Darold Petty]

The differences I have observed are in the flower coloration not foliage.  I agree that the difference in your two plants is likely nurtritional and will eventually disappear.

Gustavo, when the social distancing is lifted please invite yourself to visit my garden.    and Welcome to PalmTalk !

[troposphere]

Thank you Darold, I will!  Where in SF are you?  I lived in SF for 15 years before moving to the 'burbs recently.  I'd love to see your garden when this is all over.

[Darold Petty]

Parkside;  33rd and Vicente, ten minute drive fom Pacifica !  

[troposphere]

and probably a very similar climate.  we could both grow the same plants     I imagine your soil is sandy?  Mine is heavier.

[Plant-a-holic]

Hi! Do you think this Deppea  splendens will grow in Florida zone 10a with our summer heat and humidity? 

[Darold Petty]

No,