Mutant tulip.🌷 Is it fasciation?

[GiraffesMightFly]

I have an amazing tulip with 8 heads. Wanted to share because it’s beautiful! Also because I’m trying to figure out what is going on! Could it be fasciation?

www.rhs.org.uk/problems/fasciation

en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fasciation

I really want to try to propagate it but have no idea what I'm doing and from a quick read this seems to be particularly difficult with tulips?

It also seems that (if it is fasciation) the mutation may not persist next year even if I manage to save the bulb. I'd like to at least try though! Any tips?

I'm sure it is amazing but i can't see it with these ridiculous photo sizes.

Sorry, I don't understand? The photos are just from my phone.

Would it be best to dig up and store the bulb when the leaves die back, or better to leave it in the pot?

From reading that article it seems its not a good idea to try and propagate it as its often caused by bacteria

Can you get a photo of the stem? That'll be the obvious bit that's fasciated. You don't stand much chance of being able to reliably propagate it if it is, I'm afraid.

Another photo. Is that easier to see?

It is beautiful. (Its mn and the tiny pictures that are an issue not you)

You can buy them. www.jparkers.co.uk/bulbs-tubers/tulip-bulbs/multi-headed-and-praestens-tulips/

What does the base of the flower stem look like? If it's flat and broad, and splits out into the multiple smaller flower stems, then yes, it's fasciation.

This is the stem. It does look weirdly flattened and like several fused together as the article says. Also has a slight break in at that has seemed to heal but only halfway. However, some of the addition flower buds are coming from below the break.

I only noticed it a few days ago when watering, just before it opened.

I have some of these varieties. But this wasn't a multi-stemmed one. And I think the ones that are usually have only maybe 4 flowers? This one has 8 and appears to be growing a 9th.

True. But it's in a pot and if everything else in the pot dies or mutates as well I don't mind! 🤣 Also the RHS article I think said it doesn't usually spread from one plant to another anyway?

Yes, that's fasciated. You could try keeping it in the pot to save the bulb for next year but it could well come up blind, tulips often do.

The stem is like 4 stems fused together so I’m pretty sure it must be fasciation. So interesting! I am a novice gardener so this has fascinated me! Fascinating fasciation. 😆

Thank you. Worth a go!

@AlisonDonut have you tried tapping on the picture to open it? If you have a touch screen yo can then enlarge it by spreading your fingers. I’m having no difficulty in seeing the pics.