Hi Keith,
to ATP!
I'll reply to your question from Becky's albino thread just to streamline the number of cross-thread posts to one, and will link it here so that people can reference it also. (
The thread "Albino Seedlings" in
Daylilies forum)
You asked about grafting green leaf material onto the tips of albino daylily seedlings, and it is a very interesting idea! I'd read of grafting green stems on top of albino stems, so that a root system won't cut off nutrients when an albino stem doesn't provide energy from photosynthesis for a plant. But, since daylily leaves don't grow from stems I hadn't thought to look further - thanks for nudging me there!
My very brief reading found that plant growth sections, which might be found in roots, stems or crowns, of both graft and host must be spliced together. So, I wonder if keeping an albino seedling going long enough to develop a small crown bulge would make it possible to graft it in to share the crown of a green-leafed fan? Hmmmm! Not too much to lose by trying it once.
One challenge I might anticipate is how green leaves would get their sun exposure without burning albino leaves in the process. But, I've also seen some albino plants that are somewhat sun-tolerant even though they remain albino in the sun (rather than being white from etiolation created from lack of light). So, lots of mysteries afoot in that area, and food for thought.
I'm watching out for any albinos in my new crop of seedlings - it takes a few weeks before their seed-nutrients are exhausted and the trait shows up - I'll update if I find any soon. Hope others might share their experiences, and photos, as well.
