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Copyright hellebores.org
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1) Protect the pollen: other than the selection of
parents and actual transfer of pollen, this is by far
the most important step. The simplest way to avoid
contamination is to provide a physical barrier
between insects and the anthers. Fine mesh bags
work fine for this if you put them on before the
flower opens or before anthers begin to mature. It
can also protect from the unlikely event of
contamination by wind-borne pollen.
parents and actual transfer of pollen, this is by far
the most important step. The simplest way to avoid
contamination is to provide a physical barrier
between insects and the anthers. Fine mesh bags
work fine for this if you put them on before the
flower opens or before anthers begin to mature. It
can also protect from the unlikely event of
contamination by wind-borne pollen.
Breeding
In the context of hellebores, the process of hybridization and selection is what
most people call breeding. Generally speaking, the hybridizer/selector is one who
takes pollen from one plant's anthers and distributes it onto the stigmas of
another plant or multiple other plants. In the case where pollen is distributed to
the stigmas of the same plant, the method is called 'selfing' and is a stage of
inbreeding. After a few years when the plant blooms, the hybridizer may select the
best from the offspring and separate them from the others. In some cases the
remaining plants will be destroyed, sold, or given away. S/he may do this
repeatedly for years or decades while developing a collection of wonderful plants.
But, breeding can also be taken beyond simple hybridization and selection. Over
many years with good record-keeping, a breeder can learn much about individual
parents and learn what to expect from individual crosses. The process of many
years of carefully selecting parents and calculating results is perhaps the only
way to develop stable lines in color and form.
About Strains
Hellebores are notorious for having mixed genetics and can exhibit considerable
variation when grown from seed. This makes the job of the breeder extremely
difficult, in some cases seemingly impossible. It often takes many years to
establish stability in hybrid hellebores; patience is perhaps the most important
factor in successful breeding.
With a single successful cross it is quite possible to get well over half the
offspring to resemble each other. The remainder may contain plants that
exceeded all expectations as well as plants that exhibit undesirable features. Over
time it is possible to come up with lines that are 75-90% or more 'true' to color
and form.
In the context of hellebores, the process of hybridization and selection is what
most people call breeding. Generally speaking, the hybridizer/selector is one who
takes pollen from one plant's anthers and distributes it onto the stigmas of
another plant or multiple other plants. In the case where pollen is distributed to
the stigmas of the same plant, the method is called 'selfing' and is a stage of
inbreeding. After a few years when the plant blooms, the hybridizer may select the
best from the offspring and separate them from the others. In some cases the
remaining plants will be destroyed, sold, or given away. S/he may do this
repeatedly for years or decades while developing a collection of wonderful plants.
But, breeding can also be taken beyond simple hybridization and selection. Over
many years with good record-keeping, a breeder can learn much about individual
parents and learn what to expect from individual crosses. The process of many
years of carefully selecting parents and calculating results is perhaps the only
way to develop stable lines in color and form.
About Strains
Hellebores are notorious for having mixed genetics and can exhibit considerable
variation when grown from seed. This makes the job of the breeder extremely
difficult, in some cases seemingly impossible. It often takes many years to
establish stability in hybrid hellebores; patience is perhaps the most important
factor in successful breeding.
With a single successful cross it is quite possible to get well over half the
offspring to resemble each other. The remainder may contain plants that
exceeded all expectations as well as plants that exhibit undesirable features. Over
time it is possible to come up with lines that are 75-90% or more 'true' to color
and form.
Hybridization and Selection of Hellebores
Getting started
For many gardeners, interest in hellebores occurs in the area of the
large-flowered and brightly colored hybrids. From there it makes sense that
interested individuals may want to create their own hybrids. The mechanics of
hybridizing is not difficult, and one can do it without complex facilities. The joy from
seeing a plant bloom for the first time is hard to describe, but over time the
anticipation of something new is probably one of the key factors in getting hooked
on hybridizing.
The photos on this page (click to enlarge) contain all the necessary information
you need to create seed with fertile hellebores. However, there are a few important
steps that require attention:
Getting started
For many gardeners, interest in hellebores occurs in the area of the
large-flowered and brightly colored hybrids. From there it makes sense that
interested individuals may want to create their own hybrids. The mechanics of
hybridizing is not difficult, and one can do it without complex facilities. The joy from
seeing a plant bloom for the first time is hard to describe, but over time the
anticipation of something new is probably one of the key factors in getting hooked
on hybridizing.
The photos on this page (click to enlarge) contain all the necessary information
you need to create seed with fertile hellebores. However, there are a few important
steps that require attention:
1) Transfer the pollen: assuming you have the
pollen you want, pollen transfer is fairly easy. Some
people use brushes etc to put the pollen on the
stigmas. I simply pluck stamens and use the
mature anthers as the 'brush'. Regardless of the
method, it's possible to do before the flowers open
or just as they open. As such, there isn't usually a
need for emasculation, but removing all the anthers
from the pod flower is an optional extra precaution.
pollen you want, pollen transfer is fairly easy. Some
people use brushes etc to put the pollen on the
stigmas. I simply pluck stamens and use the
mature anthers as the 'brush'. Regardless of the
method, it's possible to do before the flowers open
or just as they open. As such, there isn't usually a
need for emasculation, but removing all the anthers
from the pod flower is an optional extra precaution.
1) Protect the stigmas: Once pollen has been
transferred, the same method used in step 1 can
be repeated on the flower of the pod parent. This
ensures that the stigmas are secure and safe from
accidental transfer from unwanted pollen. This
might not always be necessary, but it's a simple
precaution to take to be sure that the intended
cross was successful. Later just sit back and relax
as the seeds drop into the bag.
transferred, the same method used in step 1 can
be repeated on the flower of the pod parent. This
ensures that the stigmas are secure and safe from
accidental transfer from unwanted pollen. This
might not always be necessary, but it's a simple
precaution to take to be sure that the intended
cross was successful. Later just sit back and relax
as the seeds drop into the bag.
