Cross suggestions and why

[helixturnhelix]

It seems like many of us do not really have the space to grow out many seedlings to hopefully get that new and exciting perfect hybrid.  But I also think that we have some pretty good ideas as far as which crosses could have some good results.  I was thinking that we could suggest some crosses to charlie and since he has the space to perform these crosses, if he likes the crosses we suggest he can do it.  Then hopefully in 1-3 years we can see how those crosses turned out, without giving up too much of our space.  Of course you have to explain why you think the cross would be a good one

The crosses I would really like to see are...

Black Dragon x Dragons Heart (I mentioned it in another post, but wanted to keep it all in one place)

I think this cross could yield some dark flowers because both these cvs have the common ancestor, Dragons Breath, and both are a dark red color.  It would make sense that their dark gene is from the same source, so if that gene is the same in both, there should be a larger than normal percentage of offspring that are dark in color.

Gator Pride x Denim Revolution

Looking at the Gator Pride offspring, it looks like red protein pigments are being suppressed or silenced.  If crossed with Denim Revolution the newest blue, with a red center, it might be possible for these genes in gator pride to silence the red pigment in Denim and produce a solid blue flower.  I think the most significant evidence that this can occur is with the Blue Ballerina x Gator pride cross which yielded a pixie blue flower. 

Byron Metts x Ghost

Just to see if the gene making these cvs all white is the same one

These are the ideas I have for now, i will think of more in the near future!

-Chris

[Charlie]

Hi Chris,

I like your idea. It's not always easy to achieve a cross that comes to mind, but I appreciate the ideas and will make the attempt whenever possible. For me the biggest problem is having a seed setter in a location where the conditions are good for setting seed. Right now that is only in my office windows which get a lot of indirect light at this time of year.

Black Dragon x Dragon's Heart. I have not yet tried to set seed on Dragon's Heart but it is time to do so. Black Dragon never set seeds for me but usually has plenty of pollen. I will bring a Dragon's Heart into the office and wait for it to bloom and most likely there will be pollen of Black Dragon available that day or the next bloom day. It's a good cross idea, so we shall see what happens.

I see what you mean about the Blue Ballerina and Gator Pride Cross. I will definitely give the Gator x Blue Denim a try at my earliest opportunity. I think I have plants of both that are in bloom now.

Byron Metts x Ghost. I have an overly large pot of Byron Metts and can move it to the office to try this. Ghost should bloom again before too long.

Keep the ideas coming! I'll let you know how it goes. For the near future I have ample space for seedlings but greenhouses always seem to run out of space eventually.

Charlie

[helixturnhelix]

Hmm thats too bad about Black Dragon, hopefully dragons heart does set seed.

If nightfire sets seed it might be nice to try a cross between Dragons Heart x Nightfire.  Because it seems the nightfire offspring flowers last only a day, and dragons heart lasts several, it might be worth it to see if you could get some blooms from nightfire offspring that last a long time by crossing it to varieties that have long lasting blooms like Dragons Heart or Cindy's Heart.  I think you mentioned High Drama also has long lasting blooms. 

I look forward to updates about whether or not these crosses are possible

[Nievesgirl]

Hmm thats too bad about Black Dragon, hopefully dragons heart does set seed.

If nightfire sets seed it might be nice to try a cross between Dragons Heart x Nightfire.  Because it seems the nightfire offspring flowers last only a day, and dragons heart lasts several, it might be worth it to see if you could get some blooms from nightfire offspring that last a long time by crossing it to varieties that have long lasting blooms like Dragons Heart or Cindy's Heart.  I think you mentioned High Drama also has long lasting blooms. 

I look forward to updates about whether or not these crosses are possible

Well Nightfire x dragon's heart is one of my ideas also. Nigtfire seems to set seeds like I said I knocked the pod off , but the stem ( where the pod was held ) is still on the plant.  I see new buds growing so I will try again later and let you know how it goes.

[Charlie]

OK, here's an update.

Dragon's Heart x Black Dragon. Pollinated. This will prove whether DH sets seeds although a failure in mid summer will not prove that it doesn't.

Nightfire and Dragon's Breath. This can potentially work both ways since I have set seeds on both these varieties. I now have budded up plants of both in the hybridizing area and will cross them as the opportunity comes along. I can also find pollen on other plants of these cvs to use if the 2 plants are not blooming at the same time.

Byron Metts x Ghost. Ghost was cut back for wood awhile ago so there may not be any blooms available for a few weeks.

Thanks for the suggestions. It will be interesting to see what we get!


Charlie

[helixturnhelix]

Ghost is being propagated, I'm sure alot of people on the forum will be happy about that  

It will be good to know whether or not Dragon's Heart sets seed, I have high hopes for that one!  It looks like mine is starting to bud up already, which I am pretty excited about.  Hopefully they I can see the bloom before I have to stress my hibs out moving them

[Nievesgirl]

Please take picture of Dragon's heart ! I am dying to see more picture of it mine will not be budding for a couple of weeks.

[helixturnhelix]

I will!, it might be a while, they are really small

[Charlie]

Update:

Nightfire x Dragons Breath. I made the cross but am not sure if the pollen was fresh enough. We shall see!

Charlie

[helixturnhelix]

Nightfires color with Dragon's breath's white swirling pattern, size, and bloom duration!  /crossfingers

[Darkhorse]

Ok here's one...

Black Dragon x Belle du Jour

Both are large, interesting flowers in somewhat of the same color family.  Hoping for Belle's bush and reliability with a really cool, HUGE flower!

[Charlie]

I thought I might have some with that cross but looking in my seedling photo file I find Belle crossed with lots of others but no with Black Dragon. It will need to be Belle x Black Dragon but that's fine and something I can do this week most likely. I like it. So far the Belle seedlings have been quite nice. I'll attach 2 of them to this - Belle x Saffron 7-8 inches and Belle x Berried Treasure 8-9 inches. These are in the pink color range but another with Simple Pleasures was more like Simple Pleasures in color. Maybe Black Dragon will bring some dark colors to the offspring...

Charlie

[Charlie]

Update:

Another Dragons Heart bloomed today on the same plant that was crossed with Black Dragon a few days ago. That flower has now closed and fallen off and a pod does seem to be developing. Today's flower was crossed with Dragons Breath which will make for a nice comparison with the Black Dragon fathered seedlings assuming we get seeds from both.

Charlie

[helixturnhelix]

Hi Charlie thank you for posting those belle cross pictures!  All of my seeds from this year all have belle as a parent, and since I have limited space, its good to know that her offspring are pretty nice.  Have another other pics?

I am crossing my fingers for BD x DH, I will try the cross myself when they bloom.  I am out of space, but if I able get seeds  and you haven't I will mail them to you

[helixturnhelix]

So perhaps I will take some of my seedlings from that cross with me.  I am hopeful for rainbow sherbet x belle.  Do you have any of that cross?