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Old 12-07-2007, 12:57 AM   #15 (permalink)
inkcube
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Default Re: So many white-variegated bananas???

variegation is a mutation called a chimera (with more than one type of genetic makeup in their tissues), generally its a mutation in the meristem (growing point) that effects the epidermal layers that cause the plant no produce no chlorophyll in that layer. depending on the nature and stability of the chimera this guys is selling the pups may or may not have the variegation.

a chimera thats not stable can lose variegation over time. Ae Ae is a stable chimera so the pups variegate, because the variegation is due to the presence of two kinds of plant tissue, propagating the plant must be by a vegetative method of propagation that preserves both types of tissue in relation to each other. tissue culture and root cuttings will not usually preserve variegation.

some thornless rose are chimera and after years begin to produce thorns as the chimera reverts to "normal".
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