Pardon my ignorance and redirect me to the proper thread if there has been one, but what are the implications of the Hippi being di-, tri-, or tetraploid for pollination/hybridization?
I don't know if there is one proper Thread and I try a summary.
The common gardeners' Amaryllis are those which have large bloom with more or less all the same shape, the idea being conveyed by Red Lion Orange Sovereign Minerva Appleblossom Susan Christmas Gift These represent the vast majority of Hippeastrums from commercial production The majority of them are self fertile and they will produce seeds if pollinated from other TETs, too. However, the Hybrids in pink like Susan and Appleblossom will produce seeds but rarely regardless whether selfed or pollinated from other TETs, whereas their pollen will induce seed production on other TETs. I never observed seed production on TETs after pollination from DIPloids If somebody claims that they obtained seeds from this pairing then they should not be disappointed if the maiden bloom reveals that ACTUALLY an (accidental) self pollination or pollination from another TET in the proximity had taken place.
The most credible evidence, that TET x DIP had worked is the (TRIploid) Offspring from "White" (TET) x H.papilio (DIP) by Mr. Allan Ladd shown on the Hippeastrum Hybrids' page of the Pacific Bulb Society.
Then there is several Hippeastrums (still) being exchanged among Hippeastrum lovers, which LOOK like smaller versions of the "commercial TETs" but their flowers are smaller. These "heirloom Amaryllis" are, imho TETs, too.
Then there is Hippeastrums with other flower shapes, such as Trumpets (Tubes) and partially folded lower segments (H.Cybister and Cybister Hybrids) these are DIPloid. Many of these are strictly self sterile. Some will rarely produce seeds even if pollinated from other DIPs. After pollinatiion from a TET, a DIP should technically produce TRIploid offspring, which should be sterile. I have H.aulicum v.robustum - my one clone thereof is self sterile but will produce seeds in Abundance regardless whether dusted with another "DIP" or with a "TET". And in fact, it turned out, the offspring from "TET" was sterile. No seed production after self- or pollination from a TET Hybrid.
H.papilio is a special case, it will produce seeds in abundance after pollination from DIPs (as expected) but also from TETS. However, the seeds from H.papilio x DIP are viable (as to be expected) but from H.papilio x TET have a distorted embryo in them. Of up to 120 seed (per pod!) TWO might be viable, but more likely is "NONE". Which is a pity. The offspring from H.papilio x "Common Gardeners' Amaryllis" links a truly outstanding species Hippeastrum to the products of 200 years of breeding history and the results are astounding. Examples of my own are "PapMinPic" and "PapDon" (two seedlings each) . Interestingly, these "rare" seedlings do not behave like TRIploids which they should technically be. They are self fertile (like TETS) and they are capable of pollinating other TETS with success. I use "capability of pollinating a TET" for, let's say a shred of evidence for the claim "they ARE Tets".
This post was edited by haweha on Tue, Sep 2, 14 at 15:36
thank you so much for this in-depth elucidation of the matter! I found it very educational! I also read your "In memoriam" thread with great interest and have to say the results of your hybridizing endeavors are truly spectacular! Thanks again for taking time to lay it all out for me. I believe also, this explanation deserves to be posted in the STICKY thread.
blancawing
Nititii P.Original Author
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