HYB: Beginner's Luck
- To: Multiple recipients of list <i*@rt66.com>
- Subject: HYB: Beginner's Luck
- From: S* M* <7*@compuserve.com>
- Date: Tue, 26 May 1998 15:38:09 -0600 (MDT)
Dennis Kramb asked:
> What kind of success rate do you pros have? I expected nearly every
cross
> to be successful. I don't know where the blame lies.....with myself f=
or
> not doing it properly....or with the cultivars for being infertile.
Working within a fertile family,
in ideal hybridizing weather, I've
had a few days with 100% takes. =
That's in 20+ years of hybridizing.
For the season as a whole, though,
my success rate within fertile
families is more like 50%. I could
improve the rate if I didn't make my
marginal crosses, but when the
weather is iffy I tend to go ahead
and take my chances.
With certain wide crosses,
I'm pleased with 1 take in 100,
not disappointed with 1 in 1000.
Climate is a factor. It's so dry here
that flowers are receptive for a
relatively short time and it's so hot =
by the end of the season that pods
don't set. =
Weather is also a factor. Strong
winds and falling water? Don't =
waste the pollen.
And, yes -- experience does count.
It takes time to learn what ripe
pollen looks like and when a
stigmatic lip is receptive.
Sharon McAllister
Souther New Mexico
73372.1745@compuserve.com
