Summary: Plant breeding is not only for the professional. Over many decades plenty of amateurs have found their way into creating some of the most remarkable plants in our house, landscape and garden. DO you have what it takes?
The worst that can be said about amateur plant breeding is: (1) it results in the introduction of varieties so nearly alike that only a specialist – if anyone – can tell them apart, and (2) it also results in the introduction of varieties that are inferior to those already available.
I don’t doubt that many a plant lover could cite instances in which both these assertions are true. And quite likely some have actually felt “taken” because they bought “the same thing” under different names or were sold plants they consider inferior to some they already had – solely because of the practices of amateur plant breeders, or, more correctly, amateurs turned professional.
But, honestly speaking. how many such cases are there—in a year, or in ten years? And what would the total of such cases amount to as a percentage of all the plant purchases made in a year or in ten years? One umpteenth part of one per cent? And so who wants to go on record as claiming that gardening. or horticulture, is suffering at the hands of amateur plant breeders?
Then look at it from the other side—from the standpoint of the good that has resulted from plant breeding at the amateur level. Everyone would have to agree that in this country it has contributed enormously to the improvement of iris, dahlias, gladiolus, daylilies, African violets and many other plants—in fact, that it’s largely because of our amateur breeders that, although we’re considered “horticulturally backward” in many parts of the world, we’ve outstripped everyone in the breeding of quite a few important plants.
All things considered, then, I think there is a good deal more to be said in favor of amateur breeding than there is to be said against it.
In itself—irrespective of the “introduction” of new varieties—plant breeding is facinating work. For many gardeners, it’s the most interesting phase of horticulture, it’s something any gardener can get into whenever he chooses.
In its simplest form, plant breeding is merely a matter of cross-pollinating some flowers, saving the seed, and caring for the seedlings until they mature. In its advanced stage, it involves thoughtful study and choice of parent plants, meticulous crossing technique, methodical record keeping, diligent care of the seedlings, patient testing and checking of the plants long after they’ve flowered, and, finally the integrity and willpower to discard all the dozens or hundreds or thousands of plants that aren’t worth keeping.
Successful plant breeding, of course, doesn’t long remain “amateur.” Once you’ve bred something really good—something that grows well and is distinct from all other available plants—it’s only natural that you’ll want to name it and “introduce” it. either by selling it to a commercial nursery or by propagating it and selling it yourself. You’d be foolish, or selfish, not to do so.
But the odds, no doubt, are against your coming up with something really first-rate. If you work with the thoughtfulness and patience of the professional, however, you’ll reduce those odds a lot.
So don’t think only of the size and color of the flower – think also of the plant, leaves, stems – and don’t try to introduce everything you think looks good. First make sure it’s good.
Plant breeding is fascinating , all right, and there’s more to it, good and bad, than meets the eye. Try it and see.
by T Weston
