I planted some Maypop seeds in a pot, and one of them has sprouted. But, it's completely white, not a bit of green anywhere on it... is this a good thing? bad thing? indifferent thing? Has anyone else had this happen? does the plant stay an albino for life? is it some weird genetic mutation? lol
-Kim
Albino Maypop (Passiflora Incarnata) seedling?
boy this should be intresting........what kind of light is it in? Where did you get the seeds? Maybe Flicker or Tim will respond to this......as for me no I haven't seen this before...be don't think I've done any of these from seeds...
Dee
If it were in the shade, or not getting any sunlight at all, I could understand it, lol. But, it's on the patio in full sun. My Aunt (in texas) brought a bunch of seeds with her last month when she came for a visit, so that's where they came from.
-Kim
I wonder if the incarnata may have crossed with another species? I've had some come up with pale foliage from incarnata x edulis seeds. http://davesgarden.com/t/232808/ Eventually the plants got greener and greener and went on to look normal.
If yours are completely white and lacking any chlorophyll, chances are the seedling will eventually die. it needs some chlorophyll in order to survive.
Hey kitty, can you post a photo of this? It would sure help...
Dee
i'll see if i can get a pic of it.. but i dont have a digital camera, so it could take a little while
hrm.. no.. i'll resist the temptation to pull the little thing up, and throw it on the scanner :)
Oh no don't do that......wait to take a photo..LOL
Dee
well it doesnt matter now..
the little albino maypop seedling drowned last night, before i could take a picture of it :/
-Kim
I have a gardening friend who has a huge vine growing which is white when it blooms. She gave me several of the seed pods and I germinated them and they were the pale-blue/purple; she has several others which are in color. Perhaps if I get a cutting I would have a true white.
Gary/Louisville
If the seedling was completely white(i.e. no chlorophyll)then it would not have survived anyway, since the plant would be unable to manufacture compounds essential to growth. I have had a few seedlings like this in a number of plant varieties over the years and they all died once the reserves stored in the seed had been exhausted. Presumably it is a genetic defect, as although some chemicals can cause these symptoms they would, if present, effect other seedlings nearby.
The only plants lacking chlorophyll which I have seen grown(apart from some parasites and saphrocytes)are varieties of cacti which were grafted onto short stems of "normal" chlorophyll containing cacti of compatable species
The seedlings I germinated were healthy and green. Two of them bloomed and the blossom was the blue/purple color.
Gary