At the Meconopsis Group AGM, I raised the question of whether M. x 'Lingholm' could hybridise with any of the 'yellows' to produce a 'cream'. So, on this particular board I will explain what I intend to do, record all the details, update the progress and hopefully come to a satisfactory conclusion.
If others wish to carry out similar experiments in hybridising it would be useful if they could use a separate topic board and not clutter this one.
As I have said previously, many fine hybrids have appeared in the garden by chance, and the identity of their parents may be incorrect. Similarly, a number of the old species have been split into sub-species or new species, so it is essential to start by fully recording the characteristics of the two parents which are going to be used. I am going to take the pollen from the 'yellow' and apply it to the 'blue', simply because if any seed is produced on the 'blue', the resulting seedlings should be 'creams' instead of 'blues' - an obvious difference.
The pollen will come from Meconopsis integrifolia ssp souliei. The plants have been grown from seed legally collected in China at a location within the known distribution area.
The receptor plant is a veteran Meconopsis x 'Lingholm', which was verified by Evelyn Stevens several years ago.
My initial posts will act as the 'vouchers' for the two parents.
The later posts will describe the conditions under which the cross will be conducted.