StarFish! I have a question about snapdragons!

[bluntforcemama]

So I have all these funky breeds because the snaps crossbred, and I want to know if the seeds from these hybrids are fertile, and if they'll go back to their normal state of color or if they'll stay true to the hybrid. Any ideas?

 

[Starfish]

Oh, well, I won't deny that there is light at the end of the tunnel, but the walk down the tunnel is pretty crappy.

You won't see them revert, because that is only applicable to subspecies (cultivars), but what you will get is some recessive traits come out here and there in the offspring, or you'll see hybrids evolve into other stuff if you leave them in a mix, and don't isolate them, in order to keep a trait pure.

The reason why there is such a mix of snaps to be had already is that they cross breed very easily. In that case then, keeping a pure trait, requires isolation, and further breeding or means of asexual propogation to get enough samples to start breeding with one another to see if the offspring will hold true and remain viable, and have low mutation traits.


Here is what I'd do if there was only one of a snap that I really liked but didn't know if it would live, or reseed itself at all.......

Being that Snapdragons are actually a very slightly hardy, tender Perennial, and not an Annual, you could actually pot up the plants that you want to preserve after thier top growth dies back, NEVER letting the roots freeze, though, and then overwinter them in a cellar or basement in the dark. That will keep them alive for next year, and that way you can preserve your favorite types, resulting in the possibility of them seeding to that hybrid.

I have even had luck in overwintering two of my favorites by pileing a mound of leaves and yard debris over them for the winter, and then uncovering them when the Spring thaw hits. The years I've been able to do this had a great deal of snow (insulation for the roots), and mild temps.

If you can get them to survive the winter, then next Spring, you need to take cuttings, root them in vermiculite, on a heating mat with rooting hormones (ask and I'll link you to a good organic site) until roots emerge. Once your other snaps start germinating, set these guys out and acclimate them to the Spring. (No earlier than Mid May depending) You can plant them then after about 7 days of being outside. Remember to try and plant them where no other snaps are growing, so they are the only "option" for pollen. Then when they reseed, once they start blooming then, you should weed out anything that isn't coming up true to color, to eliminate crossing. Then you'll definatly get some.

Easy huh?

Well, at least this way then you'll have more of them, and your chances of them seeding are higher.


I want to know what inspired this question....

Tell me!!!!

 

[Angel]

*Boots this back up for Myst*

 

[bluntforcemama]

Yes I want the link! I'll take a photo tomorrow of the two kinds of crossbreds that I love! One is purple with white tips, but only on the "jaw," the other is bright red with yellow middles. It's dark out, so I'll take the pictures tomorrow. I did get seeds from each plant, think they'll grow that color?

 

[bluntforcemama]

Here are the purplish ones:

 

[bluntforcemama]

And the red/yellow ones. I took this with a flash because they were in the shade, so I think the color is a bit brighter than normal.

 

[bluntforcemama]

bump

 

[ohiobbw]

Those are very pretty Myst!

 

[Starfish]

Hey Myst, sorry I didn't get back to you earlier. I had to run.

These are great. I really like the purple ones. You can just shoot for it with the seed and see what happens. I get the same colors back every year, so who knows??

I am not saying that I didn't say anything about a link, but are you talking about the link to my webpage cause I am spacing out right now?

I can't give that link out right now, because it is under MAJOR construction and all and is a mess.

I will get that to you as soon as it's done.

If you mean some other link than you'll have to refresh me because I am tired. Sorry.

 

[bluntforcemama]

lol... no problem hon. You had mentioned something about root-growth stimulators. I think that's the link I was thinking of, but hell, who knows. We can be insane and tired together. Want to go to bed with me?