is this a dissectum seedling?

hortriot

general concensus seems to say that acer palmatum dissectum sets sterile seeds.

i want you to look at this pic and say your bit.

i am not trying to settle a debate once and for all, just scratching around.

i am happy to accept that this little fella may be a fluke but has anyone else out there had success with one of these?

Attached Images

disectum.JPG (67.7 KB, 58 views)

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rockm

"general concensus seems to say that acer palmatum dissectum sets sterile seeds."

It's never that clear cut. Biology is quite messy. Absolutes aren't really. Hybrids can sometimes produce fertile offspring. Mules (horse x donkey cross) have been reported to have produced offspring.

Jerry Meislik

It sure looks like a seedling dissectum. I have collected some pretty dissected ones from my neighbor's trees in the past.
Jerry

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Jerry Meislik
Whitefish Montana USA
Zone 4-5
http://www.bonsaihunk.us/

bwaynef

Honestly, those don't look that different than some of the 30 or so seedlings I collected from under Japanese Maples around these parts. There is terrific variability in them, which is one reason people love to grow these from seeds (or cheat and collect self-sprouting seedlings.)

I think its too early to tell if this one will indeed turn out to be a dissectum. It has good color though.

WF

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© 2004 - present bwaynef

hortriot

careful with the C word bwaynef, hehe.

thats it im ripping it out and composting the lot. ( yeah right ).

i would like to lean towards rockms theory that biology is messy, and from experience i have indeed found this approach to be true.

bwaynef, for you i will try growing the seeds i collected and document the process as best i can. i want to succeed to some extent here as i do like a challenge. but you will have to wait till my springtime.

as for collecting self sprouters, there is some relevance to it. especially for me and anybody who lives in a slightly harsher environment.

if you can collect these seedlings succesfully ( providnig they are not under frequent irrigation ), they are more likely to survive ( natural selection theory ) as opposed to those raised in the seed tray.

the dissectum seeds i will attempt will be done in a controlled environment so the natural selection will come from the rogue slugs which prowl the precincts of the hothouse by night.

well thats my two bits worth.

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bwaynef

C word = collected, cheat, collect, or color. I suppose its probably the "cheat" one that you're referring to.

I only said that because thats where I got my seedlings from. I didn't bother to plant any seeds, but I scavenged around and picked up the seedlings that popped up. No offense meant really.

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© 2004 - present bwaynef

hortriot

no offense taken, im just recalling a thread earlier this month. brrrr.

anyhow taking seedlings outta the garden isn't cheating is it?

don't answer.....

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dpqmonkey

I suspect the "c" word is consensus.

Are the seedlings growing? What are you doing with them?

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David

Certifiably Bonsai Crazy!