pea_thrower writes


Thanks Kay, that would explain its survival, but if the health & size
of a plant is in direct proportion to the amount goodies that its stem
can deliver,

That's a big assumption! A lot of things affect growth - for example, a
hippeastrum kept on the windowsill will develop a much longer flower
stem than one kept in the bright light of a greenhouse

then why is the damaged plant doing so much better than
the plant which has 100% of the stem at its disposal?

Possibly stimulated by the damage into making up lost growth? Is it as
advanced in terms of flower buds? A stronger plant with better root
system? It's in a more favourable position in the greenhouse? It's
getting a good dollop of water as you begin the watering rather than a
lesser amount as you get bored towards the end? You're giving it more
tlc because of its damage? You gave it a slightly larger dose of
fertiliser by mistake? I'd start believing that the damage caused
stronger growth if you damaged perhaps 10 plants and demonstrated they
were all growing more strongly than another 10 undamaged plants in
exactly the same conditions.
--
Kay