This is a Acer Palmatum atropurpureum seedling. Is this a common mutation? ......should i be excited about this or just "ho hum"
I have found that sometimes these clusters at the top of a seedling can produce very unusual growth as in the seedling pictured below. Unfortunately they often do not survive. This seedling was found in a batch in 2004 and potted up seperately as a variegated seedling. The pictures below are from 2005. This did not survive the next year.
Banjoboy, that looks like a mutation to me. Typically mutations on conifers (sorry to go off subject) anyway, the conifer mutations typically are very unstable but are still worth grafting. I know someone who would be interested in that chunk, (wish I had some seedlings left). Looks like what's called a witches' broom or a sport. Regardless, I'd bet the foliage is either smaller or is disimalar than the rest of the foliage on the seedling. Dax P.s. Maybe it would be a good idea to watch it for a few years. It shouldn't die for any unknown reason. It's actually quite interesting that the mutations on both your guys plants occured on the leader. Really interesting to me.
oopps. turns out this tree isn't a red leafed maple. At the nursery i work at, we usually only have atropurpureum in one gallons so i assumed it to be one of these. Turns out this is a vine maple. Hopefully it keeps this dense compact look. if anyone is interested i can post a picture.
Here are a couple of pictures. as far as my novice eye can tell, it looks like a vine maple. maybe slightly more palmate shaped leafs. The second picture is just an odd leaf near the bottom. Most of the leaves look like the first photo.
