4 branches same node.

[Connoisseurus Rex]

One of my plants have 4 branches on the 3rd node. All of my other plants only have 2 branches per node. Is this normal?

 

[cannaculturalist]

Normally there are only two lateral shoots per node. This can be increased through FIM topping. However later in a plants life, new shoots can start to grow at nodes which already have larger established lateral shoots growing. Post a pic to confirm exactly what's going on. If this is on a seedling, and you happen to have 4 lateral shoots at the node - I'd say that is down to genetic mutation, and perhaps an awesome trait which will work to your advantage

 

[Connoisseurus Rex]

I topped it today. The 3rd node is the one with 4 branches. I set it up for main- lining. I hope I didn't do something bad. I should now be able to grow 4 colas from one topping correct? Was there something better I could have done.

 

[botanistjjj]

its a polyploid, cool trait.

 

[Connoisseurus Rex]

So what does that mean? Was it bad for trimming it? Thanks fir the replies.

 

[twostrokenut]

Is the third node the only one with 4 "branches"? Can we see a pic of the 1st and 2nd nodes?

 

[Connoisseurus Rex]

The 1st and 2nd got trimmed today. This was before I realized that it had 4 branches. Here is what it looked like before.

 

[cannaculturalist]

Very cool. Yep, looks like a polyploid (multiple sets of chromosomes) which results in extra laterals at the node. It should allow for a 4-way mainline with this single topping. Very nice, congratulations for your good fortune - though I guess you are still yet to find out if it is a male or female. Keep us posted how this little one turns out, it could be a monster.

 

[Connoisseurus Rex]

Sounds good thanks for the info. Greatly appreciated.

 

[banks dank]

Highly doubt its a polyploid lets see pics of the first two nodes.

 

[Connoisseurus Rex]

I posted them above. It is now trimmed so the first 2 nodes are gone.

 

[Connoisseurus Rex]

Update. Checked them this morning. It seems to have recovered quickly. It is already starting to push out the growth tips. They have grown approximately an eighth of an inch since the trimming yesterday.

 

[Connoisseurus Rex]

For the small amount of research I can find on cannabis polyploids, this is what I've come to the conclusion of. Slightly higher THC content if at all, slower growth, but a slightly higher yield. The only thing I'm having trouble wrapping my head around is the slower growth. It seems to be growing just as quick as my others if not faster. It also says they are harder to clone and easier to go hermie. If anyone has dealt with these before, could you please share some info? Is there anything I should know about the care of the plant? The last thing I want to do is embarrass myself by killing a rare genetic mutation.

 

[ThorGanjason]

I had a polyploid white widow, it started with 1 sharp leaf instead of two, and then had 2, then had 3, then had 1, then had 3, then it topped itself-- they can be crazy.

Everything that you read sounds spot on. The growth is definitely a little slower ( not really in the beginning, but you'll probably notice it slow down). Mine was only like maybe 15" tall and yielded like 3 1/2 ounces. I was definitely less than impressed with the quality tho. The higher THC content thing might be true, but not with mine.

All-in-all, they are cool little mutations. I say grow her out, compare her to the others. It'll be good experience anyways, being able to watch some less than normal growth.

 

[Connoisseurus Rex]

I had a polyploid white widow, it started with 1 sharp leaf instead of two, and then had 2, then had 3, then had 1, then had 3, then it topped itself-- they can be crazy.

Everything that you read sounds spot on. The growth is definitely a little slower ( not really in the beginning, but you'll probably notice it slow down). Mine was only like maybe 15" tall and yielded like 3 1/2 ounces. I was definitely less than impressed with the quality tho. The higher THC content thing might be true, but not with mine.

All-in-all, they are cool little mutations. I say grow her out, compare her to the others. It'll be good experience anyways, being able to watch some less than normal growth.

Thank you. You've been very helpful. I guess the only other question I have is, if it's a male should I keep the pollen? Would it be worth trying to breed it with another plant?

 

[Connoisseurus Rex]

So I found this article:http://boards.cannabis.com/advanced-techniques/200721-superbud-polyploidy-marijuana-botany.html

You can use a chemical to try to turn seeds into polyploids. I got my seeds as random freebies from the company where I bought my fem seeds. My question is: Do you think this is a naturally occurring anomaly or a chemically induced anomaly? Would a seed bank treat seeds to make them polyploid?

 

[cannaculturalist]

It is likely just natural genetic variation. This happens all the time in nature through natural variation etc (leading to evolution over a great enough period of time). Ploidy can be manually manipulated, but I highly doubt that the seedbank would have done this (unless it was explicitly stated that this was part of their breeding practice). That said, I don't know if it would be worth going to such great lengths to on breed it yourself - unless there is some specific trait in it that expresses itself (other than the current growth pattern). If you've got the setup to do it, then by all means experiment if you're keen. As suggested by ThorGanjason, grow it out and see what comes of it - worst case scenario is you decide to turf it later on. I'm a sucker for weirdo plants, the thrill of seeing nature do its thing and surprise me is half the fun of gardening.

 

[Connoisseurus Rex]

Yea I'm definitely gonna grow it out. There's not much info which is what is peaking my interests about breeding it. The fact that it is very resilient, has extremely quick recovery times, and that it is mutated perfectly for mainline setups is what is really making me want to breed it whether male or female. I will keep updates on it in my first grow thread.

Thanks for all the help everyone. Appreciate the feedback. Happy growing.

 

[Connoisseurus Rex]

Those growth tips fired off fast. It's a little droopy. Gave them a heavy watering and wiped the leaves so they don't burn.

 

[botanistjjj]

Thank you. You've been very helpful. I guess the only other question I have is, if it's a male should I keep the pollen? Would it be worth trying to breed it with another plant?

From what i know it is a recessive trait