BIRD ROCK TROPICALS BLOG
  • Bird Rock Tropicals
  • Eco-Tour
  • Gardens By The Bay
  • Events

tillandsia Journal

NATURAL, ARTIFICIAL AND ACCIDENTAL HYBRIDS

11/15/2013

2 Comments

 
Tillandsias in habitat

Tillandsia, due to their close proximity in their natural habitats, will naturally hybridize.  Although not common, natural tillandsia hybrids can occur when one species of the genus is pollinated with the pollen of a nearby species.  In order for a natural hybrid to develop the two differing species must be growing in fairly close proximity.  Since pollination can be accomplished via hummingbirds,  this distance can still be somewhat significant.  But certainly you cannot have a natural hybrid of one species indigenous to Mexico and the other Brazil.  

Charles Darwin came up with the term, "natural selection" to describe what he saw in nature and how his theories on the evolution of speciation developed.  He compared natural selection to "artificial selection", which is the human intervention in plant or animal hybridization.  Desirable traits and characteristics chosen by the breeder are promoted in hybridizing.  Undesirable traits are discouraged from breeding programs.  This term was later changed to "selective breeding".  Therefore, these two terms are clear, a natural hybrid is one that occurs naturally in nature.  An artificial hybrid is one that was intentionally produced through selection of the parents by the breeder. 

It is easy to understand the origin of the hybrid when these terms are used correctly.  Not only for the hobbyist but especially the taxonomist and biologist.   The importance of natural hybridization is being recognized more than in the past.  Clear documentation of natural Tillandsia hybrids;  where they were found in nature and other species in their habitat is necessary.  Many purists are not concerned about hybrids, only species.  But a natural hybrid which originates in a mixed species population has it's place in the study of species.

We can't discuss hybridization without discussing one other type of hybrid.  In your garden when a plant is found growing that you did not intentionally plant, or is not a native plant to your region, it is frequently called a "volunteer".  The same is true in nurseries and private collections.  Plants are growing in close proximity and the opportunity for hybridization is high.  If one harvests the seed and grows it to maturity, chances are you will discover an "accidental hybrid".  Only with an "artificial hybrid" (selective hybridization),  or an "accidental hybrid (volunteer hybridization) is  it possible to have a hybrid with one parent from Mexico and the other Brazil.  This will not occur with a "natural hybrid".  

I suggest that these terms be adopted properly.  Lack of consistent terminology decreases the value of the hybrid.  A "natural hybrid" is one that occurred naturally in nature.  An "artificial hybrid" is one that was created by a breeder, usually through selection of desirable characteristics.  An "accidental hybrid" is one that happened in a private collection, garden or nursery, but without intention.  Alternatively one could adopt the terms, natural hybrid, selective hybrid and volunteer hybrid. 


2 Comments

Tillandsia Curly Slim

7/24/2013

50 Comments

 
T. Curly SlimT. Curly Slim
T. Curly Slim was created by Dr. Mark Dimmitt.  The parents of this hybrid are  T. intermedia and T. streptophylla.  At the time that he made this hybrid, T. intermedia was called T. paucifolia var. vivipara.  The correct term is pseudoviviparous, meaning that the plant produces vegetative pups on the inflorescence, as well as at the base of the plant.  From my experience this hybrid will sometimes produce offsets on the old flower spikes, but not always.  It can skip a generation or two, so you don't want to cut the spikes off too soon.  If you do,  you may never know if your plant is  "pseudoviviparous".   Thankfully, it always make pups at the base of the plant.

It certainly is named appropriately, as it is "Slim & Curly"!  Grow it in high light to enhance the pink color in the foliage when the plant begins to bloom.  A large specimen such as this, at four feet in length, makes an artistic addition to ones collection.


50 Comments

    RSS Feed

    Pamela Koide HyattPamela Koide Hyatt
    Horticulturalist & Explorer Specializing in the Genus Tillandsia.

    View complete author profile here.

    Sign Up for Email Updates
    Email notification of new blog posts.

    RSS Feed

    Archives

    February 2025
    August 2022
    July 2022
    April 2017
    January 2017
    October 2016
    January 2016
    November 2014
    August 2014
    June 2014
    March 2014
    January 2014
    November 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    March 2013
    January 2013

    Categories

    All
    Awards
    CITES
    Cork
    Habitat
    Hybrids
    Mounting Tillandsias
    Photography
    Racinaea
    Saxicolous
    Taxonomy
    T. Curly Slim
    Tillandsia Vanhyningii
    T. Latifolia
    T. Pamelae
    T. Samantha
    T. Seleriana
    Viviparous
    Watering

© Pamela Koide Hyatt , Bird Rock Tropicals
Photos from cm195902, ggallice