mutant hosta? where did I go wrong?

14 years ago

I divided a hosta last spring. All of the divisions are doing fine except one. I have added the photos, I hope this works. I took the first two photos May 12, and then I noticed it flowered so I took more photos May 29th. The photo in the middel is the origianl mama. The last photo is a picture of the top of the "mutant" it is like a spiral with tiny buds (the dark spots)around the center spiral. Any comments would be appreciated, thank you.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (20)

donrawson
14 years ago
Did you make a cross with a palm tree???
paul_in_mn
14 years ago
Maybe it's in love with a lily. Your first pic reminds me of those plants that dance to music/noise from the 80's.

Paul
Related Discussions
Cluster of leaves on a stalk?
Q
Comments (2)
Thanks for the link, that's definitely it. Why didn't I think to use the word mutant in my searches.... I guess I'll leave it at the store, although Paul's Glory does look like a beautiful hosta to own.
...See More
Sprout off of our Pearl Lake
Q
Comments (1)
Fasciation.....and a link to a 09 discussion. Don't miss the pic toward the end :-) Paul Here is a link that might be useful: mutant hosta? where did I go wrong?
...See More
Primer tacky after 48 hours, where did I go wrong?
Q
Comments (6)
I just noticed I was replying to a very, very old post, but figured I'd leave it in case anyone is still reading. I had a bad experience with this zinsser oil based interior/exterior cover stain as well. I did not tint but it is tintable. I used it right after buying from depot and having it shaken for 5 min at the counter. I applied on an outside beam that was partially prepped with a wood hardener after removing dry rot, but the majority was just the previous paint that was in good shape. 2 days after painting, it's still slightly tacky. I called zinsser support and they said the only thing they could think of is if I had been applied on too hot of a day, saying it needs to be under 80F. It was topped out at just under 70 the day I painted, but the sun here does get hot in the South Bay below San Francisco, so maybe the surface was hotter?? I'll check today compared to air temp. If temperature wasn't the cause, then my experience seems similar to yours. In my case it would be a huge job to remove the product from the large outdoor beam so I'm looking for other solutions. I still need to add an epoxy pc woodie filler where I had removed and cleaned out dry rot before applying the cover stain (just used to make sure the pc woodie epoxy would stick and add an extra layer of protection against the weather to the entire beam...which I now wish I had skipped!) My current plan is to wait it out a week or 2 and hopefully dries (next week is supposed to be low 70's but the rest of this week is 80's. In the upper 80's the 2nd layer is even forming a few bubbles, so I've just been popping those to make sure it dries out beneath. It's only slightly tacky, but looking for no tackiness before I take the next step. If anyone has any tips or any idea if waiting longer will help, let me know please. Thanks! And for the next time, a better product to use than this zinsser oil based primer which was highly recommended by depot.
...See More
where did I go wrong
Q
Comments (19)
Well all I can relate to is my own personal experience, I was also trained with and volunteered for our local Master Gardeners, and have been gardening for over 30 years now just as point of reference, but I make absolutely no claims on being an expert, (I don’t know if anyone can) and can only know what I know. Which is why I said there are many variables when it comes to plant care. if you are concerned the plant is not draining, sure, checking right at the bottom makes sense, (you can do that by turning the pot sideways too and looking at the drain holes, maybe give the soil a sniff) but some plants would be very dry indeed, if you routinely waited until the soil was absolutely without mousture. Then you might encounter another issue, and that is (as you may have personally experienced) that peat becomes water repellant once it loses all moisture and will have to be reactivated with a good soak. Cactus soils sure, they dry out all the time, but other plants in more peaty soils well it varies but generally they are retaining some moisture.
...See More
mclarke
14 years ago
Holey moley, what IS that???
maidofshade
14 years ago
Did you ever see Little Shop of Horrors?! :O
I think it is called a leafy bract or something like that, can't remember exactly but I have had something like this happen with a Frosted Dimple Hosta, I have also heard of people trying to get that top to root. Maybe someone with a better memory will stop in with the correct term. Looks pretty gnarly though doesn't it.......
davej_07
14 years ago
Braciated scape......or at least I think thats what it was called. I usually just cut them off so the plant doesnt waste energy on it instead of setting roots.

Dave
botanybabe
14 years ago
It's not a mutant. This is a very common occurance called a "fasciation." It is most often caused by a hormone imbalance, bacteria or other problem. It is not contagious and probably will not occur next year.

To read more about it, follow the link.

Lainey

Here is a link that might be useful: Fasciation
hostarhodo
14 years ago
I had a Mount Tom Hosta that did the same thing. The next year it was back to normal and now is growing like crazy. Best it has ever been.

Betty
old_lady
Original Author
14 years ago
Thank you for all the responses. I went to the Fasciation web site and it looks like a good explanation, thanks. How do you guys find the time to read all this wonderful info and plant/take care of your hostas :)
jel48
14 years ago
Wow! I'd just say take lots of photos and enjoy it for the oddity it is. It's quite an amazing looking plant.
pzelko
14 years ago
It will probably suck all the energy out of the "little" plant underneath, I would cut it off (just my thought). If the plant was larger, it could probably handle the stress of all those flowers, but that plant is tiny. and it is Fasciation. hundreds of flowers. looks cool, but not good for the plant.

is that an albo marginata? if it is, I would just let it bloom to see how it looks!! those hosta are over productive Momas lol

Paul
shadara
14 years ago
How cool is that?!?!?

If I were you, I'd be proud and a little worried. I'm with jel48. Take lots of pics then try to fix it as others suggested.

It's awesome-looking, but let's not kill the whole plant trying. But I dun know squat about hostas yet...

~perpetual hostaholic knowledge seeker
hostarhodo
14 years ago
A few years back I bought a hosta like that. Planted it and it was back to normal the next year. Don't even remember which one it was.

Then my Mount Tom did the same thing, even though it looked normal when I bought it. Now it is growing like crazy and beautiful.

I say do not cut your plant, let it do its own thing and, let it die back in the fall, and I bet in the spring you will have a normal looking plant. (But who wants normal) We are all looking for that something different, so enjoy your plant this year and treat it as an experiment, nature will take care of the rest.

Betty
old_lady
Original Author
14 years ago
I looked up the old, old tag from that plant and I believe it is a fortunei albomarginata. Today there are a lot more open flowers, it looks quite nice in an odd way. I will not cut it down/back I have plenty of the albomarginata's so if it doesn't make it, so be it. There will be a retail sale at Fourth Generation Nursery in Mendon MA on the 13th I will just have to get more hostas!
Pieter zone 7/8 B.C.
14 years ago
I looked up the old, old tag from that plant and I believe it is a fortunei albomarginata.

It's kinda early for any Fortunei to be blooming, I suspect it'll prove to be Undulata Albomarginata. Check the back of the leaves, if those are glossy it's Undulata, if they're glaucous/whitish dull they'll be Fortunei.

Pieter
paul_in_mn
14 years ago
Might be Ginko Craig - mama plant looks similar.

Paul
slp0100
14 years ago
I have had a handful of Undulata Albomarginata go mutant on me this spring. We have had a very cool spring here in MN, could that play into? They were also all split last year. I have been cutting it out.
harryshoe zone6 eastern Pennsylvania
14 years ago
On the Rose Forum, we call that a "standard".
old_lady
Original Author
14 years ago
This is for "paul in mn" I have PhotoShop Elements - this is what I do when I'm not planting mutant hostas. I agree is does look like thoses old Dancing Flowers!
paul_in_mn
14 years ago
Wonder if I'll have dreams or nightmares tonight - lol. Perhaps a grass skirt and uke - sort of thinkin' hula now.

Thanks, I love it.

Paul
tepelus
13 years ago
That photo is so funny!

Karen

mutant hosta? where did I go wrong?

Comments (20)

donrawson

paul_in_mn

Related Discussions

mclarke

maidofshade

davej_07

botanybabe

hostarhodo

old_lady
Original Author

jel48

pzelko

shadara

hostarhodo

old_lady
Original Author

Pieter zone 7/8 B.C.

paul_in_mn

slp0100

harryshoe zone6 eastern Pennsylvania

old_lady
Original Author

paul_in_mn

tepelus

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

mutant hosta? where did I go wrong?

Comments (20)

Related Discussions

old_ladyOriginal Author

old_ladyOriginal Author

old_ladyOriginal Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

old_lady
Original Author

old_lady
Original Author

old_lady
Original Author