SunGold oddity

[HudsonValley]

Oh, wise forumites, here is a photo of one of my four SunGold seedlings. The other three look fine. This one was growing well until about a week ago, when I noticed that the central stem had stopped growing and the true leaves had lengthened considerably. Today I noticed that small leaves had started growing next to the missing stem's "stump" and above the seed-leaves. Any idea whether it's viable or not?

[AlittleSalt]

I had a plant last year that grew just one leaf like the one on the left. The plant didn't make it.

[Gardeneer]

It should grow branches from the root or the leaf nodes.
I have 4 plants (none sungold) that freeze killed their growing tip/stem.
They came back and each grew 4 stems. I let them be. Now they are bushy plants.

[HudsonValley]

Thanks, Salt and Gardeneer! I guess I'll let it live for the time-being. Another sucker-like leaf has appeared just since this morning, and the whole seedling has started leaning to one side... I've nicknamed it Quasimodo.

[cloz]

I once had a deer eat most of an Azoychka plant I was hardening off. 2 succers began to grow from the 2 remaining leaf nodes. I planted it and it formed 2 stems. Was one of my healthiest and most productive plants that year.

Cloz

[HudsonValley]

Thanks, Cloz. Maybe I'll have the same luck?

As of now the seedling is about 3-4" tall, but more than 6" wide. The new leaves/suckers have purple stems, but I can't imagine it's a nutrient deficiency since the other seedlings are nice and green, and they're all on the same schedule. Strange.

[zeroma]

If it has been cool, that can cause purple color in stems/leaves. This one is just 'different'!

z

[HudsonValley]

Zeroma - Thanks; I've read about purple coming from the cold. I don't think that's the case since my grow lights are in the garage, which is heated and never drops below about 62 degrees. I agree that this one is different!

[Togo77]

I have an Amelia in my garden that grew to about a foot high and did the exact same thing. Even the succulents wont grow.

[HudsonValley]

I wonder if this little weirdo will even grow to a foot like yours, Togo77. These two photos were taken earlier today -- lots of leaves growing near the cotyledons now, and the purple color is fading. I'm not optimistic, but watching the plant's strange growth is kinda interesting.

[Gardeneer]

Now you have 3 branches going , instead of just one !!!

[HudsonValley]

Gardeneer -- there really are three branches! The original oversized stems/leaves turned purple and wilted so I clipped them off. Lots of new growth since then. Still, a strange-looking seedling, but one that seems to want to live!

[HudsonValley]

Still growing... like a candelabra with three arms. I think it has earned a spot in my garden -- if nothing else, it'll be a curiosity.

[HudsonValley]

Happy to report that my strange little SunGold remains healthy... and has produced its first set of blossoms!

[greenthumbomaha]

I had what I thought was a mule plant with a weird leaf like yours and set it aside intending to destroy it, After a few weeks the plant showed signs of life on one side and is doing as well as the others in the garden. Too early to determine production. It is Cherokee Chocolate.

- Lisa