candy cane mixed zinnias

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kls_01 Champaign, IL(Zone 5b) Apr 12, 2008

I just bought these candy can mixed seeds for this year. I have regular zinnias that I have been saving the seeds from for about 3 years. I was wondering if I saved seeds from these candy cane ones if they come true from their seeds. If they don't that's fine, but I thought they looked very pretty and would love to get the same thing next year from seed. thanks for any help!

Kristie

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plantenthusiast Montreal, QC(Zone 5a) Apr 13, 2008

Kristie,

As a rule of thumb, most hybrids will not come true from seed. You could give them a try though, you never know!

Good luck with your Zinnias,

-Plantenthusiast

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kls_01 Champaign, IL(Zone 5b) Apr 13, 2008

Then how can they sell seeds for them if they don't come true from seeds? Oh, because they're second generation or something? I'll probably still give it a try, might come up with something interesting! Thanks for the help!

Kristie

Post #4802120
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plantenthusiast Montreal, QC(Zone 5a) Apr 13, 2008

Kristie,

They can sell seeds of a certain cultivar by creating the cross themselves; this is called hybridization. They take pollen from one type of plant and add it to another, and you end up with a hybrid. There are many micro propagation & other techniques that are used commercially to reproduce clones and cultivars.

Fictional Example:

Zinnia red #1 x Zinnea White #9 = 'Candy Cane'

Good luck with your seeds,

-Plantenthusiast

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kls_01 Champaign, IL(Zone 5b) Apr 13, 2008

Thanks for the explanation! Hope my seeds do well!

Kristie

Post #4802572
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