Haemanthus hybrids
J.E. Shields (Thu, 12 Dec 2002 14:57:49 PST)

Hi all,

I have seeds ripening on Haemanthus albiflos pollinated with H. humilis
hirsutus, which happened to be blooming at exactly the same time. I've
already mentioned that I had at that time pollinated the H. humilis
hirsutus with fresh pollen of H. coccineus. Those seeds ripened about a
month ago and are now growing under lights.

There were only 2 or 3 seeds per berry in the [humilis hirsutus X
coccineus] berries, but these berries of [albiflos X humilis hirsutus] are
running 4 or 5 seeds per berry. Since the bloom on the H. humilis hirsutus
parent was white, I suppose the eventual blooms on these kids will also be
white. Does anyone know of this cross having been made before? I can't
help wondering what the hybrid plants will someday look like. What can I
expect in bloom time -- 4 to 6 years away?

Regards,
Jim Shields
in central Indiana, where we may get some new snow tomorrow night

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Jim Shields USDA Zone 5 Shields Gardens, Ltd.
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