Linda Sue seedling?

[morgansrgr8]

I posted in the seed growing forum but not getting any response. I was wondering what the chances are of Linda Sue throwing varigated seedlings. I found one under LS this year. At three leaves it looks like LS could be the parent. No streakys nearby that had any seed. Actually I dont think I got any streaky seed last year. So I got a nice surprise.

[Chris_W]

Hi Linda,

I saw your post but just didn't have a spare moment to reply yet.

The odds of getting one single variegated seedling and nothing else around it are extremely slim. There are much better odds that it is just a tiny bit of Linda Sue that got broken off by a vole, mole, chipmunk, squirrel, rake or weeding tool. It only takes a tiny piece of crown material, say from a broken root or sliver of an eye to create a seedling sized plant like this. I've seen it before here and after digging it up could see the little bit that it came from at the base, sort of like getting a TC plant.

Hope that helps a little

Chris

[morgansrgr8]

When I dug it up all it looks like a seedling. I dont see any crown that it would have grown from. Last year I did spread LS seed around it. Most of the seedlings I get in that area are from my mini's that are in front of LS. Wont get any of those next year. None of those set seed and they are usually very prolific. LS has ony one or two pods and across the walk from that Imp only has 2 pods. Not many seeds set in the heat we got. Right now its pretty nice outside and the ones blooming now are setting a bit more seed. I'll have some Swoosh seed available for next year. Looks like over 5 pods setting now.
Would it be to hard on the seedling to dig it up again to take another look at its roots? It has sent up a third leaf since we got some rain. I have put it in a pot and I have been setting it in water to get a good soak at least once a week. And should I be fertilizing it this late in the year? I think I will be putting that pot in the basement for the winter hoping not to lose it.

[Chris_W]

Hi Linda,

After seeing it, I think that it might be a variegated seedling after all. There wouldn't be any way to really know if it was from Linda Sue until it got older and you could compare the flowers, but just from the growth of this one it looks more seedling-like to me.

If it was me I would give it some very diluted water soluble fertilizer and water it in with that. I usually use 1/4 teaspoon in a gallon of water, so it is barely blue, and then try to water regularly with that. If it gets some good roots before the end of this month I would plant it out.

[ViolaAnn]

The chances of a variegated seedling, is of course, very slim, but I've got a couple - not from Linda Sue, but from other plants; so it does happen from time to time. Whether they are worth keeping in the end might be another matter.

[morgansrgr8]

Thanks Chris, The seedling is growing more leaves now the weather has cooled and its raining every couple days. Even one of my hosta that went to sleep is sending up some leaves. Gives me hope the rest havent died. The only fertilizer I have is pelleted time released so I was going to put steeped Comfrey water on it, if you dont think that would be to strong. When I found the seedling I put it in a pot and I should have set it in the ground sooner to help keep it damp and a little cooler. You really think it will be ok to keep it out this winter? If I wasnt so bad with house plants I would bring it in and grow it all winter but I kill my house plants. The only ones I havent killed is an aloe plant and a spider plant. All other were doomed to die. And hubby is making noises about going south for a month or so this winter. I wont hold my breath. The way things are going I think we will be lucky to afford the heating bill this winter.
My Linda Sue has set 3 pods and I would love to see if they do anything special. The suspense is killing me. LOL

[morgansrgr8]

For the time being I am calling it Mystery. Its growing rapidly with the cooler weather and all the rain we have had in the last couple days. It really seems to like being under the Pussy willow getting morning sun. No matter happens it will have a place in my garden being my first varigated seedling. Time will tell who pappa is. I would guess its close to my mini's which seem to bloom at the same time. Will be very interesting to watch grow up.