I almost hate to ask this dumb question but I cant help myself. Are all (or most) seeds fertile? For instance, I have a Frosty Pink and a Dr. Seuss (I think). If they produce seeds, I assume the seedlings would NOT necessarily bloom like the parent. To assure exact copies, I would take cuttings. Therefore, most brugs are hybrid?
charlotte
really stupid question
You are correct,the seeds will be a cross,and you will need to take cuttings if you want a named hybrid,not a dumb question at all,no such thing.
Root.
Ditto!
Don't be afraid to ask...anything!
That is how you learn. We had to do that too.
Never a dumb question! Arborea and sangs self pollinate thus reproducing themselves. All others need to be cross pollinated. Some crosses are more easily done than others I think I heard. Each seed from a cross pollination creates a different brug! Some very similar but still different.
That is why it is exciting to me to grow out all these seeds. You never know what you will get. I am actually now bored with growing all my oldies though I need some to produce my seeds. But I find growing seedlings so my much more fun. Anticipation!
Some seeds are not fertile. Some are empty. But I think most are good ones at least I never have had a problem yet!
Most brugs are self infertile..meaning they cannot cross with themselves.Only a sscant few species can, sanquinea and arborea are the ones that can be selfed or crossed to themselves and produce seeds that will produce like plants.Just like the parent plant.Since other kinds are sterile to selfing..they MUST be crossed to another variety or species to produce viable seeds.Thats why we can't reproduce most kinds by seeds (true to form like the parent).At least not getting identical plants without doing meristems or cuttings.Does this make sense??? LOL :-)
Somewhat. I'm still trying to learn all the terms for different kinds. I undestand most seed would not produce true to parent.
Concerning, fertility and pollination. In our reg gardens, bees pollinate the flowers. So in the ones that are "self fertile" you're saying they require no bees or otherwise assistance. The others must be crossed with something else to produce a fertile if different seed. Right?
charlotte
Right!
Some times it is wise to take the anthers out if you are pollinating with a greater colored, long tendrils brug pollen, so they are not pollinated with some other pollen than what you have planned, then tape bloom shut after you have pollinated.
Eclipse,while it has been stated that sanquinia and arborea can be selfed and produce like plants, is there much chance for them to throw something different? I think it would be interesting to grow out several successive generations of one plant which has had no cross pollination, or is there already a study on this ? I like 'dumb' questions, they are the kind I usually ask.
This message was edited Aug 3, 2004 4:15 PM