Primary hybrids more fertile than complex crosses?
Mar 30, 2012 13:04:40 GMT -10
Post by mikuláš on Mar 30, 2012 13:04:40 GMT -10
A question to the Big Hybridizers and all the homebrewers out there: I've germinated about a dozen batches of seed produced domestically (all but 1 were hybrids), and from this small sample I've noticed that the batches with the highest germination rates are of the following types:
1) species seeds
2) primary hybrids (i.e., Species A x Species B)
3) complex hybrids of the type [Species A x' (Species B x Species C)]
Generally speaking, I've had much lower germination rates from crosses of the type
(Species A x Species B) x (Species C x Species D)
Of course, my sample size is pretty small, but has anyone else noticed this trend? Do complex crosses in which both parents are themselves hybrids produce smaller amounts of viable seed? I limited my observations to seed produced domestically in an attempt to control for the effects of long transit times on viability, which has nothing to do with the inherent viability of the seed upon maturation.
I'm curious to hear about others' experiences, no matter the source of seed, and even if they contradict what I've observed -- actually, I'd be happy to learn that hybrids with two hybrid parents often turn out as fertile as any primary cross.
1) species seeds
2) primary hybrids (i.e., Species A x Species B)
3) complex hybrids of the type [Species A x' (Species B x Species C)]
Generally speaking, I've had much lower germination rates from crosses of the type
(Species A x Species B) x (Species C x Species D)
Of course, my sample size is pretty small, but has anyone else noticed this trend? Do complex crosses in which both parents are themselves hybrids produce smaller amounts of viable seed? I limited my observations to seed produced domestically in an attempt to control for the effects of long transit times on viability, which has nothing to do with the inherent viability of the seed upon maturation.
I'm curious to hear about others' experiences, no matter the source of seed, and even if they contradict what I've observed -- actually, I'd be happy to learn that hybrids with two hybrid parents often turn out as fertile as any primary cross.