Seedling differences

[Paul Tyerman]

Howdy All,

I sent this query to the list a week ago and have not had any response at
all to it.  I assume from this that this isn't a common problem or the
answer is obvious (although not to me which is why I asked).

Does anyone have any recommendations as to who I might be able to contact
regarding an answer, or where I might find more information.  I really am
interested in finding out whether this is a seed mixup or whether it is
possible for a hybrid to produce such different first leaves.

Did anyone else out there receive A. ringens (20017) from the seed exchange
and have this problem?

Cheers.

Paul Tyerman
Canberra, Australia

>Date:         Wed, 6 Jun 2001 08:31:20 +1000
>From:         Paul Tyerman <ptyerman at OZEMAIL.COM.AU>
>Subject:      Seedling differences
>
>Howdy All,
>
>From the recent Seed Exchange I received Arisaema ringens (20017).  5 have
>germinated so far but there is a definite anomaly...
>
>I contacted Lyn Edwards here in Canberra who had the same batch of A.
>ringens sent to her.  She has exactly the same combination germinating as I
>do.
>
>Some of the seedlings are significantly larger than the other, the bigger
>with a single leaf blade and the smaller ones have a tripartate leaf (three
>blades instead of a single), but another observation from her was that the
>Arisaema candidissimum had similar first leaves to the single blade.... in
>that they were the same shape and the they were shiney on the surface.  I
>didn't sow my A. candidissimum so I could not make that comparison.  I'm
>not even sure which leaf type A. ringens is supposed to be... this being
>the first time either Lyn or Myself have grown Arisaemas from seed.
>
>Now... would you think there has been a seed mixup or that this would be an
>example of cross-pollination with inheritance from two different parents?
>If one parent had tripartate new leaves, while the other had a single blade
>new leaf could the offspring have either or would they inherit the first
>leaf of the pod parent?  The tripartate leaf is not as shiny as the
>anomolous larger single blade, but I think I detect more shine than there
>is on the A. sikokianum that are sprouting nearby.
>
>It really comes down to three possibilities....... always happens with A.
>ringens, indicates species cross, or indicates mix of seeds?
>
>A. ringens was one of the first species I was interested in when I found
>out about Arisaemas, so I was very excited to get seed of it.  Now I'm
>wondering whether any are true ringens or whether all are crossbred?
>
>What would people's suggestions be?  Should I keep an eye on them and prick
>out the single blade seedlings as they die down at the end of the season?
>
>Any information would be appreciated.
>
>One thing I HAVE to say though...... growing these guys from seed is very
>addictive.  I know from having spoken to Lyn that she does the same as
>me.... checking them every day to see if any more have germinated, and
>almost starting to feel like they're kids!! <grin>
>
>
>
>Cheers.
>
>Paul Tyerman
>Canberra, Australia.  USDA equivalent - Zone 8
>mailto:ptyerman at ozemail.com.au
>
>Growing.... Galanthus, Erythroniums, Fritillarias, Lilium, Aroids, Irises
>plus just about anything else that doesn't move!!!!!
>