Disfigured Holly stem

5 years ago

Guys

Not an ID but I am sure you can help me.

In my quest for definately sexed Ilex plants, I now have 1 x Ilex aquifolium M, 2 x I. aquifolium F, and 1 I. aquifolium ' Argentea Marginata' F.

The all came from a very reputable nursery, Burncoose in Cornwall. The 'Argentea Marginata' that were available, were nice, but only half the size of the I. aquifolium. Talking to one of the lovely ladies, I asked if maybe(?) there might be some larger ones "out the back".

What she found, in the propagation tunnel, was one nice sized one, but it had a bad mark on the stem but all the growth above was fine.

I am fairly sure that if it was diseased, the horticulturalists would have isolated or heaved it, rather than leave it where it could infect other plants.

Not being willing to assume anything, I thought to ask for opinions of the Gurus.

What thinks you?

Fof

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Comments (4)

shaxhome (Frog Rock, Australia 9b)
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Sorry, I have no idea, but...

(I would also have bought the plant and hoped it could battle through whatever ails it!)
thefof Zone 8/9 UK thanked shaxhome (Frog Rock, Australia 9b)
thefof Zone 8/9 UK
Original Author
5 years ago
You beauty!!
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Dave in NoVA • N. Virginia • zone 7A
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
The stem could have been damaged or bruised - maybe by a human, or from wind, or from a too-tight tie. I mean, one can only speculate. Who knows? And wet conditions are causing some fungal growth on it. It seems to be affecting a significant portion of the stem. If it doesn't progress and if there is still a critical amount of healthy tissue on the other side that we can't see, it may grow out of it. I would be prone to remove it below the damaged area, even if it is a leader though. Or select a different plant.
thefof Zone 8/9 UK thanked Dave in NoVA • N. Virginia • zone 7A
thefof Zone 8/9 UK
Original Author
5 years ago
Thank you, Dave in NoVA

Your suggestions as to cause, pretty well matche my thoughts.

The damage doesn't appear to be new. It looks & feels like old scar tissue.

The top 50% of the plant, which is all above the wound, is growing happily.

I would have taken another if I could, but this was the only one I've been able to find, at this size. All the others I have been able to find, are, maximum, half the size, and this is the size I was after.

I guess I'll just have to keep my fingers crossed and have faith in Mother Nature doing the right thing by me and her young daughter. :-))