Quote:
Originally Posted by Jeff zone 8 N.C.
I'm guessing dwarfism is a little more dominant but the variegation was also there and carried along to each line.
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I believe variegation is much more common but over the past 10,000 years there was little to no advantage to propagating it and as a result it was probably discarded countless times. But dwarfism had a functional purpose for maintaining the line and increasing it's numbers which then increased the chances of a variegated mutation happening when they eventually became desirable.
Variegation can easily be lost with this subgroup. If a variegated Pisang Awak is planted and left alone it would slowly over time be outnumbered and overrun by the more vigorous all green offshoots.
It's easier to maintain a nicely variegated line with culling than it is to enhance a slightly variegated line.
Many people don't want to force or damage their small plants for propagation purposes and that's why vertical propagation is so desirable. A grower gets to increase their plant count with absolutely no negative affect to a small plant.