The significance of N. viridiflorus – #2

> Hi Donna,
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> There are a number of other fall/winter blooming Narcissus species that will yield the same (relative) bloom time in their progeny. Yes, the difference of bloom time is of significance but is not an exclusive trait of N. viridiflorus.
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> A large number of second and third generation seedlings from Bob Spotts, and Harold Koopowitz (and others!) seem to be quite hardy. Some may not be but there are hardy N. viridiflorus seedlings in the “pipeline” being carefully evaluated. Bob’s lovely, exquisite, ‘Mesa Verde’ comes to mind as being hardy in Pennslyvania and New England. My sense of the matter is that the Fall/Winter growers and bloomers may never be hardy in Zone 6 north as the early arising foliage will often be frozen off. Those N. viridiflorus progeny that tend to bloom in spring and put up later foliage have a much better chance at performing well in Zone 6 north. These second and third generation hybrids are the ones to watch for.
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> Steve
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>> Hi Steve,
>> Wouldn’t the difference in bloom time from other daffodils be significant, too? I want some with green color that will grow happily in my midwest garden. It seems to me that with continual crossing with season 3 and even season 4 daffodil cultivars, we should eventually produce some for gardens that are not on the West Coast of the US. Green, autumn blooming or spring mid-season, and hardy to zone 6 daffodils would make a lot of us open the wallet.
>> Donna
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>>

 

1 comment for “The significance of N. viridiflorus – #2

  1. I think that Steve hit it on the head. Color and Longevity are both
    game changers, more minor but still important is the fact that
    because the species is a tetraploid, one can breed on through several
    generations and eventually breed out those characteristics that one
    does not want and emphasize what one does want.
    Harold

    At 01:08 PM 1/14/2012, Stephen Vinisky wrote:

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