I have , over several decades now , been persuing orange flushed perianths on doubles , – preferably of exhibition form .
Very limited breeding stock was availabe last century when I commenced this distant objective and , as expected , progress has been slow .
Our southern spring is advancing , – DAFFODIL DAY – is next Friday , – August 25 , – and I have a few ” flushers ” starting to flower .
A selection from 2006 , 06 – 78 , breeding CULL 2 O – O , ( Spelter – x – Tekapo ) – x – KIWI SOLSTICE , had first flower open about 10 days ago and yesterday had 4 more open .
From experience , I knew that it was often open centered , with a pistil a probability .Checked the flowers and found 3 possible candidates – visible pistils .
However , one of the cross books had a big , BOLD , — ” NO ” next to 06 – 78 . I have , over a few seasons , pollinated about 20 blooms , – and no seed set .
The colour is good , form very average , stem and neck strong and O K . But the pistils very seldom have regular STIGMA , seldon the nice even 3 lobes that breeders can pollinate with confidence .
The pollen parent could have been the attractive David Jackson 2Y – O , – TERMINATOR , – out at the moment and flowers with a light orange flush in the perianth .
No cross was made – with new glasses on , I checked the flowers , , only one pistil was almost regular , the others misshappen and in my experience , would probably not take the pollen .
I had a new camera lense , better for close photos and macro work , so recorded the exercise .We will never know if I was right or wrong , – was I ? ? .
Also , does TERMINATOR pass on the colour flush to seedlings , – very little on Daffseek .
First flower 06 – 78 , average form , good colour .
Best stigma today , – not used , – but almost regular shape .
Very tempting but I stayed strong . NO
Another today , – very irregular stigma , – not used
Another today , again irregular stigma , – not used .
TERMINATOR , – A GOOD FLOWER , regular 3 LOBED STIGMA and pollen but the cross not made .
Does Innovator have pistil or pollen? I have plenty of bulbs of it if you want to try it.
Dave
Thanks for your interest David .I have had Innovator for Quite a few years . A deserved winner of the top award for innovation in breeding .I have used it quite a lot , seed and pollen , have one very nice ” keeper ” from seed crossed with flushed 2 -O O Kiwi Sunset seedling .
Hi John,
This is Terminator x (Ablaze x Stylish)
The most orange of the cross Terminator x (Impeccable x Silcock 1Y-O) is 16_35 taken this morning covered in last night’s rain. It’s sibling 16_62 also shows some flush.
My intuition is that you should out-breed your double with the most intense colored Y-R that you can find, keeping in mind the stem and neck, of course.
Regarding 1W-O it will come as no surprise that Fred Silcock bred the best ones I know of.
Hi Lawrence ,- thanks for your reply .The flushing is certainly evident , – also impressive , wide shoulders that I would not expect from TERMINATOR. It is in full bloom here at the moment , – strong stems and big flowers , – necks a little long perhaps . Sadly we will probably not get the chance to see the best of the Silcock seedlings , – particularly the coloured trumpets ,And the exporting rules are a problem for smaller growers everywhere , – and getting tougher and more expensive .