Eric, thank you for the explanation about weaker genes as well as all the other great information.
Best Orange Brugmansia List
I have several seed pods growing from GK crosses, I am looking forward to growing these.
http://www.ndsu.nodak.edu/instruct/mcclean/plsc431/mendel/mendel3.htm
The above is a simple link to explain how genetics can work.
If we take a simple hybrid like Luminosa and assume it has 1 gene for yellow and 1 gene for white and if we are to assume the same for Goldenes Kornett as concerns color only then we can easily get 25% of our seedlings from such a cross to come out with a pair of yellow genes and no white in the mix. 50% will have yellow and white genes like both parents and presumably the same color as either parent. 25% will have white genes only. What this means is that if we assume only two genes are responsible for color that we have a 25% chance of getting a better colored Brugmansia than either parent in the mix. 50% chance of getting one equally as beautiful in color. That's a 75% chance of getting something as good or better than either parent simply by crossing these two together. Not bad odds at all if all we are measuring is color. I don't personally believe in just hybridizing for color however so our odds would be a bit different if we were to include such traits as ability to bloom profusely, substance of flower, etc. What I have noticed though is that I can't explain Brugmansia genetics utilizing a simple two gene rule for color as so many hybrids will bloom yellow one day and orange the next. Some like Mango Crush and others appear to have a blend of colors. Some like Janet Reno will bloom yellow more consistently and then on a rare blue moon through out flowers with a pink tinge at the mouth of the corolla. I have my own theories about this, but I don't pretend to understand it all as of yet.
Things are seldom as simple as they appear to be. You can have genetic material present but not exhibiting any influence because it is in the "Off" position. A trigger, a factor of some sort, can come along and turn that gene "On." The trait represented by that particular gene will appear in subsequent generations. The opposite situation could occur, whereby, the gene is "On" until something comes along to turn it "Off allowing other traits to appear. Suppose that in Brugs, that trigger turns the genes, for that trait, "On" or "Off" for a short period of time. Once the trigger disappears, the gene reverts back to its original position.
Well said Bettydee, I have yet to find anyone who understands everything with Brugmansia color, but one thing most will agree with is that a lot depends on environmental influences and the easiest way to get a color that you want is to cross two with the same color to each other. I just can't keep myself from being thrilled by those that have a blend of colors or the nuances between the darker and lighter shades of the same color. Soft pale oranges to screaming oranges... I like them... don't understand them, but I like them.
From those who grow 'yellows' .. 'oranges' .. and 'golds' who have experienced disease,
it would be good to know which varieties are susceptible and keep those genetics for these colours out of our breedings.
I would like to try Eric's suggested 'Goldenes Kornett' cross with 'Lucifer' .. just for fun :-)))
Eric that is a beautiful deep orange color.