On Feb 20, 3:24*pm, "Phil Gurr" wrote:
"Dave Hill" wrote in message

...
On Feb 19, 12:34 pm, Flayme wrote:





Is this normal?

Hi, I am new to the forum and to growing tomatoes. I live in North
Norfolk, UK. I have planted half a dozen Garden Pearl tomato seeds. All
have germinated however, one seedling has 4 cotyledon leaves as opposed
to two. Apart from the number of cotyledon leaves, the seedling looks
identical to the others. Is this normal or should I discard the seedling
as a mutation?

I have read some information about 3 leaf cotyledon seedlings but this
is very limited and I have found nothing on 4 leaf varieties.
Unfortunately I have been unable to access the FAQs so have not been
able to check these.

Any help appreciated.
Thanks

--
Flayme

Abstract
We describe mutations of three genes in Arabidopsis thaliana—extra
cotyledon1 (xtc1), extra cotyledon2 (xtc2), and altered meristem
programming1 (amp1)—that transform leaves into cotyledons.

SNIP
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wow! From someone who still deals in degrees fahrenheit and inches of
rainfall, that explanation of what happens in 'mouse eared cress' would
confuse a university botanist. I will try to translate:-

In the germination of a seed, changes may take place in the number of
apparent cotyledons. This may involve the modification of one or two of the
first two true leaves to look like cotyledons. There will be no difference
in the look of the final plant. I am a well known breeder of Chrysanthemums
and each year amongst my seedlings there are 2-3% which have more than the
standard 2 cotyledons. In the past I have separated these in the hope that
these seedlings will in some ways be superior. I have found no such
superiority or flaws.

Grow your tomato seedlings on as normal, you will see no difference.

Phil- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

And I use feet and inches, lbs and oz, gallons and pints, and I wish
they would get rid of this new fangled money and bring back Pounds
shillings and pence.