Day
gardener
When in doubt, grow it out.
Posts: 171
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Post by Day on Jan 25, 2018 19:19:10 GMT -5
Today I broke down and bought a new artist's scalpel (sharp, unlike the gift from a friend that could barely cut butter) and some jewelry tags. With these, and though I'm sure I've butchered most of them, I attempted my first crossing of peas by following Rebsie Fairholm's tutorial HERE. I did try some hand pollinations with beans last fall, but with that old scalpel and those difficult flowers... well, nothing took and I was quite discouraged. Peas, however... oh my, I'm going to dream about pea flowers. Weird at first, but not as has hard as I imagined. You get the rhythm down pretty quick after the first few mess ups. Steady (ish) hands and sharp scalpel and now I've got a dozen little jewelry tags swinging in the wind. If even one takes, I'll be over the moon. I'm not sure what it is, but something about having the power and agency to make my own crosses and explore the genetic possibilities therein -- wow. It feels good. That's my small victory for today.  Don't mind the band-aid * cough* ... did I mention I got a new sharp scalpel? Anybody else have a Small Victory lately? |
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andyb
gardener
Posts: 179
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Post by andyb on Jan 26, 2018 0:05:53 GMT -5
Four years ago, for Christmas, my wife gave me a copy of "Breed Your Own Vegetable Varieties." I was hooked. Problem was that it was the middle of the winter and my garden was put to bed. No vegetables to cross...then I saw my budding amaryllis. Lovely orange and white flowers. I pulled off an anther and dabbed pollen on the stigma of a different flower on the same plant and made my first hand pollination.
About a week ago, for the first time, one of the plants I grew from those seeds bloomed. It was the same color and pattern as the parent's, but smaller. Still, it made me happy.
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Post by steev on Jan 26, 2018 0:49:53 GMT -5
Day: you go girl! Fun will keep us alive.
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Post by keen101 (Biolumo / Andrew B.) on Jan 26, 2018 15:32:40 GMT -5
haha good on you! success indeed. Success lies in the attempt not the outcome, but a successful outcome is like a bonus in my mind. My weapon of choice is this little tweezer  I'm going to start my first tomato crosses this year. Might even try my hand at beans. A little nervous, but hey if you never try you never learn. |
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Post by richardw on Jan 26, 2018 16:27:16 GMT -5
Good luck Day, when i become an old coot i may turn my hand to the crossing of peas and such like.
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Day
gardener
When in doubt, grow it out.
Posts: 171
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Post by Day on Jan 26, 2018 21:46:26 GMT -5
Four years ago, for Christmas, my wife gave me a copy of "Breed Your Own Vegetable Varieties." I was hooked. Problem was that it was the middle of the winter and my garden was put to bed. No vegetables to cross...then I saw my budding amaryllis. Lovely orange and white flowers. I pulled off an anther and dabbed pollen on the stigma of a different flower on the same plant and made my first hand pollination. About a week ago, for the first time, one of the plants I grew from those seeds bloomed. It was the same color and pattern as the parent's, but smaller. Still, it made me happy. I love this story more than you will ever understand. Thank you so much for sharing it. No idea where I'll be in four years time, but I really hope I'm still growing the descendants of my first pea crosses from waay back in 2018. I'll be sure plant them right next to the parking spot for my flying car. if you never try you never learn. wise words! |
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Post by shmack1 on Jan 28, 2018 15:39:28 GMT -5
I must try a hand cross with peas one day, I tried a bean cross a few years ago after reading "Breed your own vegetables" with lots of inspiration i rushed out to the garden and attempted it. wow beans are fiddly!
it never made a fruit. but since moving up into the mountains I have had 2 natural crosses of tomatoes and one of bean because our pollinators are so abundant. but i am moving back into town now so might have to start hand pollinating again to get crosses of selfers.
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Day
gardener
When in doubt, grow it out.
Posts: 171
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Post by Day on Jan 29, 2018 23:00:19 GMT -5
I know, right! I started with beans as my first hand pollination, and that failure nearly discouraged me from the whole idea of manual crosses. |
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Day
gardener
When in doubt, grow it out.
Posts: 171
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Post by Day on Feb 1, 2018 22:44:50 GMT -5
Except for the one that the wind snapped off, it seems all my crosses took. And since I was extra careful to make do the sex hand pollinate the buds super early, I'm happy to report that I am now pregnant in possession of a dozen little crossed peas!  |
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Post by steev on Feb 2, 2018 0:33:58 GMT -5
May the deliveries be easy and rewarding.
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