Breeding, Hybridizing

Breeding new CV’s

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Dear All,
I’m new to “daffnet” and would like an answer / observations…..
Alec Gray wrote that “the male pollen parent has more influence in colour than the seed parent, while the seed parent has more influence on the form and size.”
Do you agree with this or have you your own thoughts or observations?
I currently do about a dozen crosses a year and need help!
Many thanks
Jeremy Wilkes, Hornchurch, England 

2 comments for “Breeding new CV’s”

  1. Welcome to Daffnet.  My Father as well as Jim O’More had similar beliefs.  Dad was heavily influenced by Brodie of Brodie and I think that Jim was citing Guy Wilson.  I would have to say, though, that after many, many years of breeding daffodils I have not seen any evidence of the causal effect noted by Gray.  Some resemble seed parents, others pollen parents, sometimes both!  I will be interested in other comments.

    A wee bit of advice.  Use proven breeders with good form and smoothness as well as clarity of colour.  Avoid “wild” crosses – I have had a lot of rubbish from these kind of crosses.

    Good Luck with your breeding – it is the most rewarding part of growing daffodils

    Peter (Hamilton, N.Z.)

    PS your address took me back many years – we were friendly with the late Ron Ffitch (another daff grower) who lived at Rainham.

  2. I USUALLY CROSS FLOWERS THAT ARE THE SAME COLOR.  PETER’S ADVICE IS RIGHT ON TARGET.  USUALLY CROSSING FLOWERS THAT ARE NOT THE SAME COLOR AND DIVISION IS NOT A GOOD IDEA. IT  USUALLY RESULTS IN MUDDY COLORS OR BAD CUPS, BUT OCCASIONALLY SOMETHING NICE HAPPENS.  IF YOU HAVE ROOM AND ENERGY FOR LOTS OF JUNK, GO FOR ANYTHING THAT YOU WANT, BUT DON’T BE KIND!

    LEONE LOW

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