hybridizing compatitility among Amaryllidaceae

Adam Fikso irisman@ameritech.net
Sun, 13 Nov 2005 13:10:36 PST
Hello Carol.  You asked what appears to be a simple qustion, and like many 
such, it does not have a simple answer, or, the simple answer just isn't 
true.But here goes.  Two answers : l) probably not, and-- 2) somewhat.  Just 
among Lycoris, for example the chromosome numbers (which are very variable) 
would suggest that certain species should not be compatible, but crosses 
have been made among some of these.  Of the progeny, some appear to be 
fertile, others not.

The cross Hippeastrum x Sprekelia would appear to be unlikely, but not only 
has it been made, it can be selfed , so the progeny of the cross are 
fertile.

The only pragmatic answer at this time, is:  Try the cross and see.  And, 
try to make the reciprocal cross and  back crosses if the original cross is 
interspecific.

 Keep accurate detailed records, and somewhere along the line--try to 
confirm the accuracy of the nomenclatural designation of the plants you're 
working with.

A number of the Amaryllidaceae seem to be interfertile, e.g., Agapanthus 
species, Lycoris, and no doudbt, others witint ddesignated species, . 
Interspecific crosses also, may well be crossable, but there's not been much 
work here. I personally suspect that Hymenocallis and Narcissus might be 
crossable

In any case, a few wild successful crosses in this area could lead to much 
hardier forms of what we do have.

I wouldn't suggest Ixiolirion and Haemanthus together, but I can imagine 
Ixiolirion and Agapanthus on a trial basis. Adam in USDA Zone 5a, warming to 
6 (?) 



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