Re: REB: genetics
iris@hort.net
  • Subject: Re: REB: genetics
  • From: L* M* <l*@lock-net.com>
  • Date: Sun, 14 Nov 2010 08:43:29 -0500
Betty, when I say secondary traits/genes needed for rebloom, I mean things that contribute to the capacity to grow fast enough to reach maturity in time to respond to triggers for bud set. Chuck's theory is that the fan can't respond to a trigger for bloom until after the fan is mature. Or until <a> fan in the clump has had the trigger set, if it's that kind of genetic makeup.
I think that's what he's said. If his theory is correct, undug clumps where the great great grandmother rhizomes are still alive and connected to all the descendants would keep the trigger set in all the fans, for that type of rebloom. A great thing for a garden plant! ;-) I like that theory, Chuck.
I think secondary traits includes all kinds of genetic variation in the way plants respond to climate and soil. Ph, temperature regime, whether or not & how fast growth stops and starts in response to fertility/moisture/temperature changes, wind, whether or not entire, mature leaves die or just lose tips in response to heat/cold/drought, root architecture, response to density (i.e., looseness) of soil etc etc etc. CA/Oz rebloomers seem to grow really fast with the right fertility/moisture help.
One of the questions I have is how hard it will be to transfer some of those rapid response characteristics of CA/Oz July/Aug bloomers to plants that will thrive in our climate, esp erratic temp/moisture. One of the <big> differences I've noticed between CA/Oz selections in general in comparison to those that thrive here (other than sensitivity to sudden frost/freezes) is root growth rate. I don't know if it's the response to shock when dug and shipped while rapidly growing or inherent ability to make rapid root growth in general that makes the difference. Not a good CA rebloomer, but CA bred TREASURED sure combines well as far as vigor & health are concerned.
I keep hoping that just getting a root system that thrives in my growing conditions combined with those CA/Oz rebloomers will yield more "summer" bloomers here. Give me another 10 or 15 yrs to find out...
End of season bonus from Bayview this year included a couple of CA rebloomers from Lauer that have put on phenomenal root growth, not just top growth. Any of you know if DELTA LADY or STRUCK TWICE bloom Jul/Aug in CA? 

Linda Mann east TN USA zone 7

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