Scraggly leaf sproutage?

[the_ginga_ninja]

Sorry for having to make up a word, but I honestly don't know how to describe what's going on. It looks like that on the side of the stem for the main leaf has split a little, and a bunch of scraggly, twisted fan leaves seem to be sprouting from the first node. I've attached two images, but they're resized so you won't really be able to see what I'm talking about too well.

I've uploaded the hi-resolution pics which you can see here: http://imgur.com/a/l7mCO#3 (to see full res, hover over the image, click the little gear, and click 'View Full Resolution'). I think the two best pics are http://i.imgur.com/xIVmGj3.jpg and http://i.imgur.com/kmsxeuJ.jpg

I have no idea if this is completely normal, because I've never grown anything before. If it isn't, do you guys have any suggestions? Thanks and stay green!

 

[the_ginga_ninja]

Also, forgot to post essentials:

Day 19 since sprouting
Fox Farm Ocean Forest soil in 3gal bucket
pH 5.7 water
No nutrients so far (a few people recommended I wait a week or two before adding nutes to the FF soil)
4x45w 5600k CFL
2x4x5 grow tent

Temps have remained between 75*F and 81*F, with RH bouncing between 29% and 37%.

 

[WelderDan]

Looks like a mutant. Actually, it looks like it started as a trifoliate but is trying to grow out of it.

 

[the_ginga_ninja]

So, you're telling me that I've created a monster? Lol, just kidding.

Thanks for the tip. I googled trifoliate and started reading up on what is going on. I'm gonna try and get this thing all the way to harvest still (if she actually is a she), regardless if the yield is affected or not.

Thanks again for the heads up!

 

[WelderDan]

Well, if it had three cotyledons and had three leaves appear as the first set of leaves, then it's just a trifoliate (aka whorled phyllotaxy) that's growing out of it.

It could also be a muty, or possibly the growing tip was affected in some way causing it to die off and it self topped.

Let it grow, see what happens. Sometimes the oddballs are interesting.

 

[etinarcadiaego]

So, you're telling me that I've created a monster? Lol, just kidding.

Thanks for the tip. I googled trifoliate and started reading up on what is going on. I'm gonna try and get this thing all the way to harvest still (if she actually is a she), regardless if the yield is affected or not.

Thanks again for the heads up!

Hey man, great pics, forgive the cynicism, but I've been growing a while and perhaps the trajectory of my "growing arc" is different then yours, if that makes sense? I'm pretty high on some GCG so forgive the rambling text that follows . . .

Even so, my experience with mutants has been disappointing, and prudence has taught me that strong seedlings make strong flowering plants, even so I find myself wary of discarding a plant I've never flowered.

So what is the way of the educated gardener? I prefer to let circumstances determine for me the proper course. If i have 25 strong plants and 3 weaklings I'll cull the mutants and never look back, but if I'm growing 5-10 seeds of a favored strain I'll let them flower just to see them finish.

You haven't messed up your plants, and apart from their mutation they look healthy, otherwise.

Post your end results if you wouldn't mind, I'd be interested to see if they parallel my own.

Later man

 

[the_ginga_ninja]

I've been using this plant as my 'test grow' to try and work out any issues ahead of time before I spend $80-$100 for some seeds. Discovering issues when each sprout cost me $10-$20 sounds pretty painful lol.

That being said, I'm doing my absolute best to bring this thing all the way home! There's been a lot of new growth on the lower stems since the pics, and they all look to be like late sproutings (probably not the right word) of the secondary stem that should come from each node...if you know what I mean. lol

Thanks for the advice @etinarcadiaego! I'll definitely be posting up my results.

 

[the_ginga_ninja]

Well, if it had three cotyledons and had three leaves appear as the first set of leaves, then it's just a trifoliate (aka whorled phyllotaxy) that's growing out of it.

It could also be a muty, or possibly the growing tip was affected in some way causing it to die off and it self topped.

Let it grow, see what happens. Sometimes the oddballs are interesting.

After looking at her more, I think I stressed her quite a bit a week ago when I transferred her to a new pot, and she stunted. I'm starting to get a couple of yellow spots on the top/biggest leaf, and I think it's from a combination of the stress, plus an accidental overwatering, shock from the nute rich FFOF soil, and getting a bit too close tot he bulb.

We'll see what happens. Thanks again for the help!

 

[Sat X RB]

I think you have it nailed, Ginga. be patient ... wait and see.

little plants are very sensitive to nutes. may have hit something in yr soil which is probably an 'amended' soil. that is: fertilizers are added to just common old dirt.

also I 've had trifoliates grow as per normal altho the 'tri' grew out and became a bi.

PS: I like "sproutage"! SeaMaiden coined one the other day. it was 'budulate'! like, "when yr plants budulate ...". so welcome to the crazy literary crew!!!