Petunia with variegated leaves

Has anyone ever seen a petunia with leaves like this? I am wondering what the chances are of reproducing the specific 'mutation' if I collect seeds from that part of the plant. Any comments?

Thanks!

Wow! I've never seen a Petunia like that before. It's really neat! Unfortunately, seeds don't typically carry the genes for variegation. Your best bet would be to try to keep it as a houseplant through winter (and it will probably need to go dormant). Just don't over water it!

I've been reading up on the variegated petunias and it seems they will not come true from seeds. However, the ones I have found are a very bright pink not the color of yours. Where did you get them?

Kwanjin

This message was edited Oct 1, 2007 11:07 AM

That was a mutation that 'just happened'. The rest of the plant is normal (Purple Wave Petunia). The variegation starts halfway down the stalk. Very strange. Could it be some sort of virus doing this? I have about a 4' x 3' raised bed full of these petunias (started out as 6 plants) and this is the only place where it is variegated.

If it was a spontaneous mutation chances are it wouldn't come true from seed. I'd try cuttings, although some of those mutations are less stable than others and won't even stick around when you do it that way. But I think cuttings are really your best shot. It doesn't look like a virus to me

Jeannie,
That is fantastic!! What a gorgeous quirk of nature!!

Sasha

I have never done cuttings before. Can I just cut the plant where the variegation begins, put it in some root growing hormone, and put it in potting soil?

That's what I do, Jeannie. Idf I'm getting you right, does the variegation start on a non-variegated plant? If true, can we see the whole thing?

Yes, it starts about halfway up a non-variegated part. I will take some more pictures tonight.

This is a picture of the whole plant (well, as much as would fit in the frame!)

Here you can see where the variegated leaves are starting.

And here is a picture of the very end of the stalk.

As far as the root growing hormone, I picked up a packet of Rootone. I have also seen "Take Root" available locally. Is any one of these better than the other?

Thanks!

I think that any of them would work. I've tried two or three and they all seem to work just fine. I don't recall the names as I don't use them very often and they've been given to friends.

What does everyone else say?

Also, that does seem strange to start with a color change that far off the main plant. Very pretty, though.

I agree it is very strange.

Can I cut the single stalk into several pieces, or must I leave it as one piece? I would like to end up with several of these plants, if possible. It does have one small side branch but other than that it is just a straight stalk.

I wonder if you start it rooting over the winter if you will get more shoots with the varigation which you could then cut and root also. Just a thought.

This message was edited Oct 4, 2007 10:30 PM

That's possible. It might work.

I have found with daylily seedlings that are pure white that they will not survive because they have no chlorophyl in their leaves necessary for the mnanufacture of the plant sugars. You might want to make a cutting which has both green leaves and varieagated leaves.

That's a good point.

That would be very cool if you could successfully make the cuttings root. Sometimes though, the variegated sport may revert back to the normal solid green. Keep us posted on this!

I know this is an old thread, but it popped up through google when I was searching for variegated petunias.

Looks like a patent was applied for on this one....if anyone is interested in reading about it, scroll down towards the bottom of the webpage.

Has anyone seen this petunia for sale in garden centers in the last couple years?

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/PP11516.html

Wow - the description sounds very much like what I had. Wish I knew then what I know now. I think I could have saved it!

Oh, noooo, it didn't make it? Sheesh, you coulda been rich!