Re: Re: Setosa-hookeri

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In 1997 I introduced "Northern Valentine" which was from a cross of hookeri x setosa (SIGNA seed) .

The hookeri I used was a true species, about 8" tall, collected from coast of Newfoundland.  Northern Valentine was 20" tall, taller then the pod parent which was about 17".

Using some of these hybrids  in further crosses, I shortly had a crop of  seedlings  of mixed heights, with some ending up being 40 or more inches tall.  Others in the cross were only 6" tall.They did have a bud count of about 5 or so buds. flowers never got any bigger then standard setosa size. Flower  stalks held up well.

I was reminded of this  while reading Anderson's article.  Although height of hookeri is short, and species has all the signs of inbreeding repression of variability, it still can bring height and vigour  when used in breeding to related species. 

Having thought of this I can say hoorkeri's shortness and bud count may not actually eliminate it as a  parent of versicolor. It's inbreeding depression covers a lot of potential. In recombination it's genes have a lot of potential.

Chuck Chapman