stolon formation

[kewpie]

so does anybody know why an orchid (specifically a paph. micranthum) makes a stolon?

is it because:

1. its unhappy in its current conditions, and thinks that the grass is greener (or limestone is lime-ier) someplace else?

-or-

2. its happy in its current conditions, and it wants its daughters to share in the bounty?

-or-

3. its an orchid and it will do whatever it darn well pleases?

thanks in advance!

[LJA]

kewpie, stolons are just the way orchids and other plants reproduce asexually. It's a way of forming a colony--making more of themselves without going through the sexual reproductive process.

[Paphraguy]

Correct answer #2 and #3.

[kewpie]

thanks, louis and pete!

i always freak out when something new (and unexpected happens). you two have definitely given me peace of mind.

[pretty_bug01]

What's a stolon?

[kewpie]

pretty_bug: a stolon is like a little 'runner' that you see on a strawberry plant. it looks like a root that grows down into the medium, but it turns upwards out of the medium. its got this set of tiny leaves on it, and will grow to be another plant with the same genetics as the mother plant.

maybe someone else can chime in with something more scientific-like?

[kewpie]

woo hoo!! with that last post (number 30), ive just become a 'member', and not a junior member!!

anyone want to throw me a party?

[Heather]

P. armeniacum does that too right? I actually didn't know micranthum did it, thought it was only the former. But , being both parvis, perhaps this makes sense...

Congrats Kewpie, keep posting and someday *you* could be "BEST" Member!

Lol!

[Paphraguy]

Heather, so does Phrag ecuadorense. Your ecua was a stolon!

[Heather]

Lol, and here I am making fun!

I did not realize other ones made stolons, had only heard about armeniacum! So... who else has this miraculous ability?

Thanks for the Education. Etc....