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African
Violet Hybridization Tips
by
by
Dr.
Jeffrey L. Smith
Dr. Jeffrey L. Smith
After reading this article by Dr. Smith, you may want to read his article
regarding dominant and recessive traits in the genetics of African Violets. The article is being hosted by the
which joins us in helping to provide information regarding the African Violet hobby. All copyrights apply to Dr. Jeffrey L. Smith's articles, to this page and to the page at the Lakes Area Violet Growers website.
Dr. Smith's 'Genetic Snowflake'
a young plant
photographed by Fran Traylor
'Genetic
Snowflake' (8898) 11/24/00 (J. Smith) Semidouble-double white pansy. Mosaic
variegated green, pink and beige, plain. Standard
African
Violet Hybridization Tips
Picking the Parents
To get started, pick out two
plants that
have traits you would like to have passed on to the offspring. Because it
will take about a year from the time that the cross is made until the offspring
bloom, picking out the correct parents should require a little time and thought.
You may even wish to record the "goal" of the cross so you can
remember why you choose the specific parents. Using a checklist of the dominant
and recessive traits in African violets may help in planning the cross and
choosing the parents. However, crossing "pretty with pretty"
will often generate some nice plants.
Dr. Smith's 'Genetic Snowflake'
by Fran Traylor
'Genetic
Snowflake' (8898) 11/24/00 (J. Smith) Semidouble-double white pansy. Mosaic
variegated green, pink and beige, plain. Standard
'Deadly Sting' by Fran Traylor
'Deadly
Sting' (S. Sorano) Semidouble dark blue-purple ruffled pansy/dark green
tips, edge. Variegated medium green, white and cream. Standard
Pollination
The male part of the flower is the stamen that consists of a
yellow anther on top of a stalk-like filament. The best stamens to
work with are in single or semi-double flowers. Flowers with double petals
have converted the stamens into petals and are often male sterile. To
begin the cross, split open the yellow anther with a razor blade
or fingernail. The pollen should be powdery or dust-like. Wet or
mushy anthers are usually sterile.
The female part of the flower is the pistil which consists of a
stalk-like style connected to a swelling at the base called the ovary.
The stigma at the top of the style will receive the pollen. The flower is
usually receptive for the pollen several days after opening. When the
stigma is receptive, it will often look wet or shiny.
Pollination is accomplished by
transferring
the pollen to the stigma. This can be done by spilling the pollen onto
black paper and using a fine-tipped artists brush or toothpick to carry the
pollen to the stigma. Another method is to remove the anther, split it open,
then touch the stigma to the pollen. Several flowers can be pollinated on
the same plant. In fact, having several seed pods maturing at the same
time helps them all to survive to maturity. Each cross should be labeled
with a small tag giving the date of pollination and the name of the pollen
parent.
'Allegro
Apple Blossom' (8853) 03/31/00 (J. Stromborg) Single pale pink sticktite
frilled pansy/red eye, red-edged top petals. Medium green, plain, quilted,
scalloped. Standard
Caring
for the Seed Pods
The seed pods will take several months to mature. Let the
seed pods dry on the plant as long as possible. Seed pods that dry in
less than 4 months are unlikely to contain fertile seed. When the seed pod
appears dry, remove it from the plant and place it in a warm dry area
for several days. After drying, the seeds can be planted immediately or
stored. If you will not sow for a time, store the seed in the seed pod.
Place the seed pod into a small vial or container that is clearly labeled. The
seed can be stored for several years in a refrigerator.
'Watercolor
Raindrops' (Lyon) Single pink star/blue-purple, pink and rose fantasy.
Variegated dark green, cream and ivory. Standard
Germinating
the Seed
African violet seed must be germinated in a closed container with high
humidity. Choose a clear dish or shallow bowel and cover the top with food
wrap. The clear plastic deli packages also make good germination containers. The
germination medium can be made of various materials. A fine grade of vermiculite
mixed with some perlite works well. Your favorite soil mixture or
leaf rooting mixture will also work in most cases as long as there are no
large pieces that might block seed growth.
Break the seed pod open on a small sheet of paper that has been
folded once to create a crease. The paper will allow you to see the seeds
and the crease will give you some control in sowing the seeds onto
the germination medium. Viable seeds are very tiny and usually appear black
and glossy. Seeds that are light brown or dull looking will seldom
germinate.
Sow the seeds evenly onto the germination medium by gently tapping the
paper. Adding some fine sand will help separate the seeds and prevent
sowing the seeds too thickly. DO NOT COVER THE SEEDS. They must remain on
the surface in order to grow.
Water the seeds gently with a mist bottle or with a fine spray.
Use water only as fertilizer will stimulate the growth of algae that will
choke out the seedlings.
Place the seeds under a bright light. Bottom heating the container
will help stimulate seed germination. Viable seed should germinate within 7-28
days but some seeds may take longer. Look for tiny green specks to appear on
the surface of the germination medium. Keep moist by misting when
necessary to prevent drying.
'Silverglade
Plums'(9004) 3/07/01(Sylvia Harrison) Semidouble lavender frilled/white eye,
mauve patches. Medium Green, plain, quilted, Standard.
Moving the Seedlings
Let the seedlings grow large enough until they are comfortable for you to work with. Loosen the germination media around the seedling before
lifting it out. This prevents excessive damage to the roots which may slow
growth. Never handle a seedling by the stem because they
can be easily crushed, killing the plant. Pickle forks or notched flat sticks
(such as those used in crafts) are excellent tools to handle seedlings. Place
the stem in the notch or between the tines and gently lift the plant by
the leaves.
Pot-up each seedling individually in your regular growing mix
to allow the best growth and shaping of the new plant. Plastic bathroom cups
work well as the first pots. Water the seedlings in with a warm spray or
mist to help settle the roots into the soil mix.
Newly potted seedlings should be grown in covered containers until the roots
are established. Fertilize the seedlings with a weak balanced
fertilizer such as 20-20-20. Keep the newly potted seedlings close to the lights
to stimulate early growth.
'Dangerous'
(8509) 11/09/96 (S. Sorano) Double red pansy/mauve overlay. Dark green, plain,
pointed. Semiminiature
Growth
of the seedlings
As the seedlings become larger and more established, they can be weaned
from the covered container and grown under regular conditions. Fertilize the
plants regularly to promote active growth. Some plants such as
miniature African violets may reach blooming size in 4-6 months.
Other plants will take longer. Generally, it will take about one year from the
time of pollination until the seedlings are blooming.
'Unpredictable'
(4371) 05/07/81 (J. Swift) Double white, red and pink variable. Ruffled. Large
A note from Laurie: I have listed
Dr. Smith's bio here below. I myself purchased the book
"Breeding
Ornamental Plants", and highly recommend it for Dr. Smith's chapter as
well as the rest of the book. It is a great resource.
I would like to thank Fran Traylor for her beautiful photographs which
depict just some of the variety available in African violets.
'Summer Coral' by Fran Traylor
Summer
Coral (8203) 06/09/95 (S. Sorano) Single coral sticktite frilled star.
Medium green, plain, pointed. Standard
Jeffrey
L. Smith
Ph.D - University of Oklahoma, M.S., B.S. - Miami University (Oxford, OH)
Dr. Smith is the Chair of the Science Division and teaches at the Indiana
Academy for Science, Mathematics and Humanities. Dr. Smith is a leading
expert on African violets. For nearly eight years he has authored the
genetics advice column for the African Violet Magazine called “In
Search of New Violets”. In addition, he has authored more than 25 articles
for the African Violet Magazine, The Gloxinian, and Crosswords
(published by the Gesneriads Hybridizers Association). Dr. Smith has
authored a chapter on hybridizing African violets that has been printed by Timber
Press in the book “Breeding Ornamental Plants”.
Dr. Smith has released three series of African Violets (listed alphabetically):
The Genetic Series : Standard size plants with mosaic foliage variegation
The Tomorrow's Series : Standard size plants with non variegated foliage
The Yesterday's Series
- Standard size plants or trailers that are
either semi-miniature or standard size, developed directly from one or more
Saintpaulia species.
Timber Press – "Breeding Ornamental Plants"
Email
Dr. Smith with questions or comments