Daffnet is very quiet.
Gold Step (Alfriston x bulbocodium) has not started yet but some of its progeny have. Seeds first collected from it in 2006 can now be judged to have been self pollinated because they are markedly different to crosses with bulbocodiums or main division flowers. Of these seedlings one has proven to be fully fertile (10_04MB), another nearly fully fertile (09_09MB) and just a couple of others with slight fertility. One of these is 09_06MB.
09_06MB has apparently self pollinated, I’m fairly confident the records are correct, to produce seedlings that are almost indistinguishable from bulbocodiums. These seedlings seem to have some fertility but have some notable characteristics – they are slow to dehisce and they last much better than pure bulbocodiums. Photos from the 3rd and 12th of August illustrate the point, a period that has had some severe frosts.
The Gold Step x (N.fernandesii x Redlands Too) seedlings have started. These might pass as div.7 but are probably 12. They are extremely vigorous and one set seed last year. Pollen inspection shows this one to have probable slight fertility.
13_01MB, a seedling from 09_09MB that is almost certainly not true to cross, is a pale bulbocodiums with just slight signs of main division breeding. It seems to have significant fertility.
The gist of all this is that Gold Step is a very interesting parent. It may have important contributions to make not just in division 10.
The flower sizes are as follows:
It’s 9.00 in the morning and the frost is still melting here. The early jonquilla are nice right now and the big daffodils [Habit x (Redlands Too x Impeccable)] have just started.
Lawrence:
What is the diameter of Gold Step? Dies it measure miniature?
thanks
Harold
Hi Harold,
I’ve updated the post to include flowers and ruler. Fortunately a Gold Step has just opened in a pot. Gold Step is never miniature, 09_06MB is just miniature and 14_02MB is comfortably miniature.
I love the results you’re getting from Gold Step, Lawrence, and hope you will post its photo when it comes into bloom. I was surprised when I looked up ‘Alfriston’ to see that it is a 2 Y-R with what looks like gorgeous overlapping perianth segments and a beautiful frilly orange (red) cup. I have dabbled in hybridizing, but I look forward to seeing yours and others future flowers with such interest and eventually (hopefully) to see some of them bloom in my garden! ;-> Thanks for the postings.
Gold Step may not be miniature but it could possibly be used to create interesting miniatures especially if backcrossed to other bulbocodiums.
Thanks for the new pics.
Harold