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My account of the suspected presence of a previously unknown element may interest readers as its discovery arose directly from my involvement in Alpine growing. Let me explain - I have found that on occasions the seeds of delicate alpines are affected so that they spontaneously give rise to mutations - my only explanation is that some common factor in the sowings must be the cause. Particular examples so far are Polemonium viscosum and P. brandegii transmuting to P.caerulum and P. pauciflorum respectively. Draba paysonii treleasii produced D.aeizoeides, Aquilegia saximontana changed into A. flabellata, Townsendia rothrockii transmogrified into .. , well something and Viola pedata decided life would be much easier as V. pedatifida. As a result of these observations I have suggested the existence of a new element and have tentatively named it "Transmutium" on the basis of its effects. As yet I have not been able to positively identify the source of Transmutium - I have eliminated its existence within composts (various have been tried), seed sowing containers, chippings and water. It is likely therefore, that Transmutium is present in the West Berkshire air ( possibly as a result from leaks from Greenham Common or Aldermaston.) Interestingly, some plant families seem more immune to the effects of Transmutium - eg Primulacae, Androsaces vandellii and ciliata, Douglasia laevigata and Primula forrestii (thank you to who ever sent that in !) were unaffected*. So too were Campanuala lasiacoarpa (very nice), Corydalis wilsonii, Rupicapnos africanus and several others. The townsendias present a problem - whereas T. rothrockii regressed to something like an aster, T.mensana stubbornly refused to produce anything other than a very small mat of silver leaves just topped by enormous pale lilac daisies (as you can imagine I am much disappointed that this disproves any theory involving correlation with plant families.)
Much work needs to be done before I will be able to share my discovery fully with the scientific world. Some gardeners I have spoken to regarding my research has expressed doubts on the validity of naming of some AGS seed. Shame on them! However, this feeble theory would be relatively easy to check. If all those generous members who donate seed are ruthlessly scrupulous in the naming of seed then the effect would disappear. If members are not absolutely sure they should still send their seed but introduce a ? into their naming eg. Draba mollisima(?) or if less certain Draba sp. or Draba ? (sp.) if you are really floundering.
However, I doubt the validity of this ridiculous hypothesis from these cynical gardeners and look forward to the flowering of my Polemonium pauciflorum (really a nice plant) and to receiving my Nobel Prize for chemistry.
* Post script - several Primula vulgaris have now flowered as red polyanthus. |
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