OK, I'm new to AVs and I have questions, but the one that's driving me NUTS is about the picture here on the forums main page! Is it a couple dozen plants in a single tub? Is it multicrowned beyond belief? An import from some region of Russia (downwind of Chernobyl)? Or...(gasp)... steroids (and if so where do I get some)?!?!

While minis are awful cool (a whole collection on the shelf of a bakers rack by the window does have its appeals), I'm actually intrigued by the idea of an extra large plant. Is removing suckers really necessary or only done for showing aesthetics? I'm only growing for home enjoyment; would it actually be detrimental to the plant to allow it to grow extra crowns and then thin by removing the central crown?

Thanks for any input,

Kitty

I believe the picture on the front page is one of Rob's Trailers. It is a semi miniature trailer, I believe and can get very large. This one may be 2 years or more.

It is best to remove suckers unless you have a trailer because they take energy away from the main plant and they may cause the main plant's symmetry to be out of place. Symmetry has to do with making the leaves in a complete round circle or wheel-shaped. Remove suckers and plant them--a very quick way to reproduce your plant.

Nancy

Barbara