SELFING: Pros and Cons

Orchid Doctor Propagation

by Robert M. [Bert] Hamilton (Compiler)

Originally published in The Orchid Doctor in 1980 and 1988

Posted by Sys Admin almost 7 years ago.

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If the characteristics of a plant are constant, as with species and it is self-fertile selfing is logical and rewarding as to results; if a hybrid comes from a distinctly different make-up selfing is likely to be unsatisfactory. A66-494

Pros: in tetraploids it gives better results than the crossing of siblings; it is good if done for genetic reasons; it is valuable with a fine form of a species; definitely gives homozygote with greater uniformity in off-spring, with the possibility of getting a far superior plant to be used for breeding; cons: you have to grow thousands of a selfed diploid to find the desired improved plant; it's a complete waste unless done on a sound genetic basis; it's of value if you gain more than you lose; hybridizing is preferable. OD66-156

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Selfing Comments
SELFING: Improving Species Superior hybrid strains have been developed recently by selfing and sibling-crossing and to compare these with the original jungle plants is incorrect. AA86-29 0
SELFING: Of Meristem Plants Should the offspring be deformed it will depend entirely on genetics; meristem propagation is not different from the normal kind. A70-725 0
SELFING: Use Pollen From the Same Flower or From Another Flower on the Same Plant They are equally effective, but pollinate only on mature fresh flowers. A66-134 0

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