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Re: seed genetics

Hello.

I would think that the risk of spreading unwanted genetic material is
far outweighed by the promise of creating new life, especially when
we're talking about perennials. I've yet to see proof of it, with so
many seeds waiting to be germinated, but I've been warned, and so I
worry, that close plantings of closely related plants is going to fail
to produce a guaranteed reserve of the particular. 

I take comfort in the fact that if these kinds of troubles arise, the
perennial parent plants will be there many years and can yet be
deliberately isolated, and that even small deliberacy can ward off
unwanted populations from "taking over", if their status is equated with
weeds.

I've also seen a lot of failure to hybridize, and obvious
self-pollenation where it was not expected.

I tend to wonder sometimes if humans are even the most significant
roleplayers in spreading genetic material... and there also are no doubt
ways of doing it we would, or could, scarcely even stop to list. 

I also the think the ramifications of having to fund enormous research
projects to approach truly answering the smallest of questions is
another good signpost to carry on, if carefully, with what one "feels"
their gardens tell them is wanted... even if one's guiding light is a
mere blend of a little knowledge, common sense, and intuition. And even
a little faith, that nature- hopefully- knows what it's doing. At least
a little.

Merely my humble opinions of course.

Good gardening to all,

Robert Carl, Mint Family Collector
ChroniAbaloni@webtv.net
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