Twin scaling vs. Stagnospora
J.E. Shields (Tue, 09 Dec 2003 12:27:01 PST)

Fred and all,

Twin scaling is a method of propagating bulbs, whereby one slices
vertically through the bulb from top to and through the basal plate, then
cuts the slices horizontally between every other bulb scale. Thus you end
up with many slices of bulb tissue with two bits of bulb scale attached by
a bit of basal plate. Hence the term, "twin scale".

The red discoloration may be any of several things. Stagnospora is a
fungal infection characterized by a deep red discoloration of the infected
parts, and controllable or possibly even curable. It is not a virus.

As Alan Meerow mentioned, Hippeastrum have compounds in their tissues
which, when exposed to light and oxygen in air, are oxidized to red
pigments. These are harmless.

Many plants, including Hippeastrum, may produce a red pigment when exposed
to strong sunlight. These are naturally occurring plant pigments called
anthocyanins, and are a protective mechanism in the plant.

Regards,
Jim Shields

At 10:27 AM 12/9/2003 -0800, Fred Biasella wrote:

..... I have several
hippeastrums with this dicoloration as well. In the
past I had destroyed the bulbs thinking it was an
uncurable virus that would spread to my other
amarylllids. I'll have to try treating tem in the
future. ......

*************************************************
Jim Shields USDA Zone 5 Shields Gardens, Ltd.
P.O. Box 92 WWW: http://www.shieldsgardens.com/
Westfield, Indiana 46074, USA
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