Growing four leaf clovers

coinjunky2 · Post by **coinjunky2** » Sat Apr 02, 2005 9:27 pm

Hi,

I was wondering if there was any way for me to grow four leaf clovers(mabe genetically altar them or clone them). NOT the common three leaf clover(Trifolium repens)

leemays · Post by **leemays** » Sun Apr 03, 2005 6:41 pm

Coinjunky,

According to the information I have, the "lucky" kind of four-leaf clovers are rare variants of Trifolium repens, or the common white clover. There is a similar-looking plant that ALWAYS has four leaves, called Oxalis deppei, but it's really a type of wood sorrel, not clover. Oxalis is what is usually sold as "shamrocks" or four-leaf clovers.

If that's what you would like to grow, check out this website for tips:

http://county.ces.uga.edu/cobb/Horticul ... oxalis.htm

If you would like to try and breed a mutant strain of white clover that puts out four leaves more frequently than normal, it may be possible but it will probably be difficult. If that's what you're trying to do for your science fair project, repost that info and I'll try and locate someone with more experience in plants to make sure that it's a reasonable goal. Breeding different strains of plants can take a long time and may not be something that can be achieved in the time frame you have. Good luck!

Lee
Ask an Expert

coinjunky2 · Post by **coinjunky2** » Mon Apr 04, 2005 9:09 pm

Thank you,

I'm hoping that I could Grow mutant white clovers.
I'm just not sure how to achieve this task.
I have plenty of time to grow anything and experiment.

Thank you so much!

leemays · Post by **leemays** » Tue Apr 05, 2005 9:24 am

Since I don't have a lot of experience with breeding plants, I've asked the other experts on the forum if they can't help you. If you don't see a reply soon, I'll try and find some more info for you!

Lee
Ask an Expert

shijun · Post by **shijun** » Tue Apr 05, 2005 4:40 pm

Hi coinjunky2,

I did some more research on the subject and came away with some interesting information. First, take a look at the following links. They provide background information on how the 4-leaf mutation came about:

http://www.lollysmith.com/allabsham.html

http://www.yokeandzoom.com/page1.htm

I found a couple of sites that off inexpensive kits on growing 4-leaf clovers and it may be a fun activity to try out (you'll probably want to check with them on what species they are selling):

http://www.shopirish.com/irish/Home-and ... tf-C3.html

http://www.perseusbooksgroup.com/runnin ... 0762414731

coinjunky2 · Post by **coinjunky2** » Tue Apr 05, 2005 8:54 pm

Thanks for trying,

Unfortunely the two websites selling the "four leaf clover kits" don't work, I know because I bought one recently, they only grow shamrocks.

The other two websites only provide information on the history of white clovers and how hard it is to find true four leaf clovers.

I was hoping that there may be a website showing how to clone true four leaf clovers.

Oh well,

deleted-2131 · Post by **deleted-2131** » Wed Apr 06, 2005 12:48 pm

Coinjunky,

Don't give up yet. If you can get me a little more information on what exactly you want to do, I can will put you in contact with labs that can do waht you need. Do you have a four-leaved white clover all ready that you want to clone, or do you need access to a plant? What exactly do you want to study? Do you want to isolate the gene that causes 4-leaf-ness, or just see if the trait is exhibited in cloned specimens? You can do this project, and you will have a fun time doing it! All I need is a little more information!

Look forward to hearing from you!

coinjunky2 · Post by **coinjunky2** » Wed Apr 06, 2005 10:42 pm

Hi,

I already have about 4,000 white clover seeds and I have young white clovers growing in a small pot.

I would like study and learn more about the proccess of cloning white clovers to make the clovers grow an extra leaflet.

I would also like to know if the proccess of cloning cloning is expensive,how exacly I toshould do it, and if I need special equitment that I probaly can't afford it.

Thanks,

deleted-2131 · Post by **deleted-2131** » Thu Apr 07, 2005 8:23 am

Coinjunky,

If I understand you correctly, you have seeds that grow threeleafed clovers, and you want to turn them into four leaf clovers, right? Correct me if I am wrong. I this is what you want to do, I can arrange it for you.

coinjunky2 · Post by **coinjunky2** » Thu Apr 07, 2005 1:31 pm

Hello,

Yes I do have clovers that grow three leaves, It would be absoulutly wonderful if you could find out if I can grow four leaves from my three leaf clovers. If I need some other special supplies or some other different process to achieve this task then that would just fine.

Thanks,

deleted-2131 · Post by **deleted-2131** » Thu Apr 07, 2005 6:55 pm

Coinjunky,

Excellent! A four leaf clover is the result of genetic mutations in the plant. What year are you in school? Have you studied biology? I would reccomend that you do internet search looking for information on the causes of four-leaf-i-ness. Try a google search using "Trifolium repens" +cause -kit. I will also see if I kind find anymore information for you. I will ask around my colleagues and try to find someone who is willing to aide you.

Good Luck!

coinjunky2 · Post by **coinjunky2** » Thu Apr 07, 2005 9:35 pm

Thank you,

I am in the 8th grade but, I am smarter than the average bear, if you know what I mean, so don't hesitate to give me something harder than you might think I can handle.

I have studied a little biology, so I have a basic overveiw.

I'll google-a-round to try to find out some more informaition.

Thanks,

deleted-2131 · Post by **deleted-2131** » Wed Apr 13, 2005 3:38 pm

I am sorry that it has taken me so long to get back to you. Here is what I understand your project to include to following: isolating the genetic mutation that causes four leaf-ness in Trifolium repens, right? How long do you have to do this? Are you doing it for fun, or for school? Try to find out if there are any documented genetic defects that have already been discovered to cause four-leafed-ness. I will get back to you with some contacts in a couple of weeks.

coinjunky2 · Post by **coinjunky2** » Wed Apr 13, 2005 10:36 pm

Hello,

I'm not doing it for school, so I have lots of time. One day if I do achieve growing four leaf mutations I might consider doing it for a science project but, for now its just for study.

Thanks,

deleted-2131 · Post by **deleted-2131** » Wed Apr 13, 2005 10:59 pm

Where do you live. I will try to find a lab as close to you as possible

coinjunky2 · Post by **coinjunky2** » Wed Apr 13, 2005 11:03 pm

Temple city, California

Mars · Post by **Mars** » Wed Apr 27, 2005 11:48 am

You may not even need to get into growing genetic mutations. According a few sites I have found, Four Leaf Clovers can be caused by Physical Damage at its developing stages. The clover itself is one leaf that segments. If you can develop a technique of damaging it while its still young with reoccuring results you will have a way of producing Four Leaf Clovers.

http://www.madsci.org/posts/archives/ma ... .Bt.r.html

coinjunky2 · Post by **coinjunky2** » Thu Apr 28, 2005 10:00 pm

Hello,

I'll try to grow clovers then try damaging the clovers to see if it produces four leaf clovers.

I'll report back, to tell you if anything works.

Thanks,

deleted-2131 · Post by **deleted-2131** » Wed May 04, 2005 12:47 pm

Coinjunky,

I spoke with some contacts that I have, and most of them commended your interest in science. However, because you are not doing your research for a purpose (such as a science fair,) they are not able to aide you at this time. If you still wish to pursue this research I would suggest the following:
1. Try Mars' suggestions
2. Do as much research as you can; keep asking questions
3. Design an experiment/research plan that you could use to find the answer to your questio.

If you need any more help, I am more than willing to aide you.

Rhiannon132 · Post by **Rhiannon132** » Sun May 22, 2005 9:25 pm

Have found clovers with leaves from 4-7. Most plants or patches are repeat performers.Look along walls, high traffic areas in lawns. Cloning or taking cuttings from a plant that has four or five leaf clovers might keep you in plants, but environment might be a very large factor. The majority I have found have been white clover.
Rhiannon132

coinjunky2 · Post by **coinjunky2** » Sun May 22, 2005 10:03 pm

Thanks for the tip.

ardnassac · Post by **ardnassac** » Sun Jun 12, 2005 3:54 pm

coinjunky,
im planning to do a science fair similar to yours... would you like to help me? we can help each other and i'll give u credit for it

ardnassac · Post by **ardnassac** » Sun Jun 12, 2005 4:23 pm

ps, u can email me

Growing four leaf clovers

Growing four leaf clovers

Mutant white clovers

Bad luck for the four leaf clovers

more clover buisness

clovers

Clovers

Clovers

Four leaf clovers

Clovers