Hybridizing Dahlias

Teddahlia I know nothing about plant genetics, apologies in advance, but is it standard for hybridized plant species’ number of chromosome sets to compound when crossed? That’s wild.

Standard implies expected or usual. I do not know how often it happens and in this case it happened many hundreds of years ago. Until recently, they did not know for sure which of the species crossed to create variabilis. Why they are octoploid means very little to me. They are octopoid and we must use breeding methods to deal with it. Before you ask what they are, I will state that effectively breeding octoploid plants is difficult and the tools used for diploid plants are generally not available. And as far as specialized methods to deal with octoploid plants, I am not going to comment at this time except to say that there are no real secrets.

You can research the evolution of polyploidy plants to understand how species of different chromosome values will evolve, cross pollinate, and form unique hybrids of different chromosome counts.

The stacking of more chromosomes generally leads to bigger plants and subsequently larger blooms and fruits. In a lab, scientists have made strawberries with a whooping 64 sets of chromosomes! I think they were just seeing if it could be done, not necessarily looking to commercialize this Frankenstein plant.

Strawberry breeding is similar to dahlia breeding. However, the breeder has to taste the berries and generally they do not taste good.

Cosey evolution of polyploidy plants

Thank you, wow this is fascinating. I appreciate you giving me some keywords/phrases that’ll boost me in the right direction for a Google wormhole! 64 sets of chromosomes makes my head spin - what the heck did those look like?! I’m going to go find out, thank you!!

Teddahlia
Over my head

In plant breeding, for many eons before man knew about genes and chromosomes people managed to breed better and better things. One of the most baffling feats of ancient breeding is how did corn get bred to what it is today. For many decades scientists searched for "wild corn" unsuccessfully. When they finally found it , it had almost no resemblance to what we think of as corn. Man has bred dahlias into a plant that looks very little like the wild species dahlias. Both of these feats were done without any knowledge of genes and chromosomes. Will there be "GMO" dahlias? I know with some certainty, that I will not be one of the people to create a "GMO" Hollyhill dahlia. If GMO dahlias are created, will dahlia breeders use those genes in their breeding programs?

Krista Make sure you report back! I go on research benders from time to time. Last year I looked more into the development of polyploidy plants and the effects increased chromosomes have on the subsequent hybrids. It's all very fascinating and lots of publicly available information.

Cosey am Oh yes, I’d love to chat about this! Let me wade in a bit deeper first, before trying to chat with you pros! I imagine I’ll have more questions too so I’m happy to hear you’ve already dived in.

Cosey NOW you’re talking! Or a strawberry plant with a teensy-tiny little flower: fully double, IC form that has the sweetest, most fragrant fruit too of course.

Krista a strawberry plant with a teensy-tiny little flower: fully double, IC form

Truly ground breaking

What does the peanut gallery say about this seedling?

Teddahlia Very beautiful colors, they look very easy to blend with many different combos, and I like the petal shape. How big is the bloom?

How big is the bloom? About 4 inches in diameter.

To be honest, I remember almost nothing about this one. It is not on the "A" list but it had a nice clear picture. This color is not my favorite but I believe it is currently popular. We marked another one because visitors to the garden liked the color. If I find that picture, I will post it.

Teddahlia I like that indent down the middle of the petals and the color. It seems kind of irregular though, and this peanut gallerian likes the form to either be strikingly exuberant or have a mathematical tidiness.

I like the colors too - I’m drawn to blooms with a deeper and cooler petal reverse (tipping my hat in @calico20hill’s direction!). The outer florets are a little wavy, but like Amanda, I appreciate the indents too. They’re like sharp little darts on perfectly fitted bodices.