I'm not exactly sure where I should post this, so I'm just starting a new thread.

I found this strange tri-lobed leaf on my 'Love' rose. Is something like this somewhat common, or is it a rarity? Causes? Concerns?

Maybe your rose wants to be a maple tree?

A Red Maple, perhaps.

......or maybe this bud is sweet enough to vie for Sugar Maple status.



So....seriously, this must be a pretty rare occurrence?

I see one of the leaves in the background in the bud picture. Are there a lot of those 3-lobed leaves?

I've never found any of them on any of my roses. It looks as though three leaflets just merged.

Found some reference to it. It's just a mutant. Not exactly sure why.

This reading material has a rather vague reference to roses and mutant, fused leaves, but mostly it's a scientific study of ground nuts.
http://www.barc.ernet.in/publi...

[Nope, Porkpal....just the terminal leaf.]

Perhaps my rose was a *lab rat* at its previous residence.

And X-men rose?

*Pout, pout...* , but it's still pretty...

Roses do exhibit peculiar mutations now and then, Chelle. Misshapen leaves, buds, and blooms occur, but they've always been temporary in my garden and I think they've always been caused by sudden extreme changes in weather patterns.

Ah! Thanks, Zuzu.

I didn't want to lose that rose through ignorance. I had all kinds of scenarios running around in my head; even to the point of wondering if I gave it too much Epsom Salts.

Speaking of epsom salts, why did the price go up so drastically? Have you noticed? Just a couple of years ago I was paying 99 cents for the same package that now costs more than $4. No chance I'll be using too much at those prices.

I was wondering the same thing. It sure is strange that some of the previously least expensive things have shot up so quickly. Like mineral oil for cleaning and oiling pruning tools. It used to be something like 99 cents.....maybe even last year. Now it's over three bucks; for a small container!

Dollar store time? I know that Dollar Tree here carries both mineral oil & Epsom salts

Oh, that's a great idea! I haven't been to the dollar store in a couple of years. I'll have to go there and see what they've got. I used to buy umbrellas and flashlights there, half a dozen at a time. That way, you can give them out to your guests when they're leaving your house in case it's dark or raining, and you don't mind if they don't give them back because they only cost a dollar.

I LOVE DOLLAR STORES !!!!!!!!