In the center of my Twice The Bite fans, there is a short scape with what appears to be a fan at the top of it. This scape didn't flower, and didn't grow any longer than pictured.
I've dealt with prolifs before, but this doesn't look like anything I've seen in my gardens before. Does anyone know what it is, or how I should deal with it?

I have one of those also, I just called it a proliferation on the end of a new scape, not very technical sounding however. Mine was on a seedling.

Notice the leaf miner damage already on it.

Seedfork said:I have one of those also, I just called it a proliferation on the end of a new scape, not very technical sounding however. Mine was on a seedling.

Notice the leaf miner damage already on it.

Should I treat it like a proliferation, then? I see no signs of root development. Do you think it will die back like a normal scape would? I would love to save this prolif/fan if I could, but I'm so confused by it.

Yes, I plant to treat mine like a normal proliferation. At this time of year I am getting lots of them, but the others are not on the top of a new scape like this one was. I really don't see that it makes any difference. I have seen some prolifs in the garden that have already died and dried up, not sure why some do and some don't. I have a few NOIDs that just crank out lots of prolifs and I don't bother saving those anymore. I have a beautiful prolif of Tar and Feather that I really do hope to save.

So if mine does that, how do I save it and plant it? How long do I wait before I remove it and try to plant it?

I like for them to stay on the scape as long as possible and let them develop what roots they will. If the scapes dies or the prolif starts looking weaker instead or stronger, I cut the scape above the prolif about an inch and below the prolif two or three inches(according how large the prolif is). The bottom portion of the scapes is used to help support the prolif when planted. The top inch is just used to push the prolif into the planting medium. I saved some prolifs last year and potted them up, and a few of them have already bloomed this year, but some did not.

Thanks, Larry.

Does anyone put them in water? I just cut off and plant them in the ground or a pot.

I may talk to my local dl club and try having a prolif swap.

bluegrassmom said:Does anyone put them in water? I just cut off and plant them in the ground or a pot.

I may talk to my local dl club and try having a prolif swap.

I always put them in water for a while, with a little seaweed fertilizer, but mostly because I just like to see what's going on with the roots. When you cut them off and plant them, do they already have roots? Do you do anything special for them?

I do keep them moist. I may go get one of the Bullfrog Kisses and keep it in the kitchen just as a experiment. Watching roots grow is entertaining lol.

I have several rooting in water now!!