Narcissus July to September 2009 Mostly S.hemisphere

[Rogan]

I am 100% with Lesley on this one: 'splits' provoke strong feelings within me and horror is a polite way of expressing them - why grow a plant with such an exquisite natural form and then try and change it to look like something else? I suppose the same goes for doubles...

Then again, I suppose curiosity is a basic human desire, so why not have a go at creating something different even if it ends up looking like an abomination from the Dathomir tar pits?     

[galahad]

Just a few out at the moment

Elfin Dell
Height:   Standard - 32.5 to 67.5 cm (12.8 to 26.6 in)
Hybridizer:   John A. Hunter
Year Registered:   2000
Country:   New Zealand
Seed Parent:   Easter Moon
Pollen Parent:   Pink Era

Bell Song
Height:   Dwarf - less than 32.5 cm (12.8 in)
Hybridizer:   Grant E. Mitsch
Year Registered:   1971
Country:   United States
Seed Parent:   (Wild Rose x Interim)
Pollen Parent:   N. jonquilla

Limequilla
Height:   Standard - 32.5 to 67.5 cm (12.8 to 26.6 in)
Hybridizer:   Richard & Elise Havens
Year Registered:   1989
Country:   United States
Seed Parent:   Lime Chiffon
Pollen Parent:   N. jonquilla

[galahad]

A few more

Bob White
Height:   Standard - 32.5 to 67.5 cm (12.8 to 26.6 in)
Hybridizer:   Grant E. Mitsch
Year Registered:   1979
Country:   United States
Seed Parent:   Daydream
Pollen Parent:   N. jonquilla

Marabou
Height:   Standard - 32.5 to 67.5 cm (12.8 to 26.6 in)
Hybridizer:   Murray Evans
Year Registered:   1984
Country:   United States
Seed Parent:   (Pink Chiffon x seedling )
Pollen Parent:   (Rosegarland x seedling )

Radiant Gem
Height:   Standard - 32.5 to 67.5 cm (12.8 to 26.6 in)
Hybridizer:   Grant Mitsch and Richard & Elise Havens
Year Registered:   1984
Country:   United States
Seed Parent:   Matador
Pollen Parent:   N. jonquilla

[Mini-daffs]

 
Rogan, the split in the N. jacetanus is a genetic characteristic of that species seedling. There is enormous genetic variation in species daffodils but you have to grow a lot from seed to see that variation. What most people perceive to be a particular species is often only a particular form of the species. One seen as desirable in form by the collector. I am sure that Brian Duncan would agree that collectors look for attractive forms of the species. We grow highly attractive forms of N. cordubensis with perfect petal overlap and minimal splitting. We also have heavily split forms. Same for N. watieri and N. rupicola. A lot of the exquisite forms you are talking about are the result of breeding and selection of the best clones. As a hybridiser of exhibition miniature daffodils I spend a lot of time breeding exquisite forms and colours that utilise particular genetic characteristics. It just happens that one of those forms is split cups.
In terms of genetic freaks Limequilla is certainly one. It is fertile and the chances of that happening was minute but if you grow enough seeds then you can get lucky. Mitsch's got lucky with a number of fertile jonquilla seedlings and that has opened up the opportunity for hybridists to breed.
However, nature had also provided a genetic mutation in the form of a tetraploid jonquilla form. It is very rare and extremely difficult to get hold of.
I have what would be a magnificent miniature 1W-W flowering at the moment but for the genetic defect of having the ends of two petals missing. It is horrible. Bit like a bulbocodium seedling where half the cup is missing.
I have posted a photo of a new split cup seedling. It is a large miniature but it is just a miniature form of a standard split cup.
People either like or hate split cups but that is also the case with doubles.
I have also posted a photo of a micro miniature 1W-W seedling with the best exhibition quality petal coverage you can get in a tiny miniature. Perfect for the alpine garden but like the miniature 6W-P seedling I posted recently totally unaffordable.

[Kees Green]

Here is that double contained in the trumpet and a few others that have started flowering this week.
If anyone knows the last one that I have named for my own records for if seeds are produced.
Thanks

 Unknown double trumpet, side.JPG
 Unknown double trumpet.JPG
 Beryl.JPG
 Beryl 2.JPG
 foundling.JPG
 Sabine Hay.JPG
 Unknown-pollinated by Dovewings 1.JPG
 Unknown-pollintaed by Dovewings 2.JPG

[Mini-daffs]

 Hi
Robin, a few photos of some of our bulbocodium hybrids for you.

[Mini-daffs]

 
Hi
A few more photos.

[Lesley Cox]

A few breeders named above (I won't repeat them) should have been strangled at birth.

[Anthony Darby]

 

[fermi de Sousa]

A few breeders named above (I won't repeat them) should have been strangled at birth.

Lesley,
here's one "breeder" that I'm glad was allowed to live


It's one of Glenbrook's "breeders" "Jingle x Swagger" and won best miniature at the Kyneton Flower Show last Saturday
I'll post more pics from the Show when I get a chance!
cheers
fermi

[Mini-daffs]

 
Hi
Lesley, you are certainly tough. I hope you were referring to the breeding daffodils and not the hybridisers!! I am reluctant to do what you have suggested and it has paid off. We have a lot of small standards that most hybridisers would have culled but they are important to breeding good miniatures with colour.
Congratulations Fermi.

[Lesley Cox]

That one is a delight Fermi. Graham, all Forumists know by now to take many of my very opinionated comments with a pinch - or half a kilo - of salt. I really do accept that everyone's tastes don't accord with mine and I'm happy that that should be so, but I still reserve the right to make my thoughts on the subject known.

[Lesley Cox]

I DO rather like the little green-tipped job. Is this your attempt to gather the snowdrop lovers into the Narcissus circle?

[Mini-daffs]

 
Hi
Lesley, being a miniature breeder is a bit like being an evangelist. There is a constant need to convert those who do not appreciate the beauty of miniature daffodils! It is just a little bit harder with some than others!!
I have attached a few photos of seedlings that are top quality exhibition daffodil seedlings that are destined for true believers.

[Kees Green]

Graham that miniature white/yellow is very nice. There is no need to convince me I think that miniatures are beautiful, that one in particular.