Tag Archives: Genetics

A Tale of Two Luteolas

It was the radest of times, it was the freshest of times…
Of course, this is all possible because of fellow AF Sarracenia aficionado and magical Sarracenia grower, Chris Gussman – aka “Woodnative”. (Chris, THANKS! You made my day yesterday!) For those of you who don’t know, Chris has this awesome super power of growing Sarracenia seedlings into gigantor type status rather quickly. I don’t know where he gets it… but I need me some o’ that!

There was a nice surprise that showed up for me yesterday via FedEx.


[Uh, who … me?]

I don’t know what Chris is talking about on the box, I just kinda stick plants in the durt and they do their own thing. (Chris: As far as the “photographer extraordinaire” thing… I just push a button man. That’s all I do. HA!)  🙂


[Chris has the most awesome giant zip lock bags…]

So, opening it up I find this giant sized zip lock bag, and it’s filled with the goodness of  Sarracenia purpurea ssp. venosa v. burkii f. luteola! (An anthocyanin free clone of S. purpurea ssp. venosa v. burkii, or S. rosea as some folks call it.) More information about the plant can be also found here: http://www.carnivorousplants.org/cpn/samples/Tax271Spurpburk.htm

Chris had crossed two of his S. purpurea ssp. venosa v. burkii f. luteola clones, resulting in many offspring. Two of which, are below.


[S. purpurea ssp. venosa v. burkii f. luteola – C. Gussman, May 2011 – FRESH outta the box!]

2 different clones. Both are from the same seed pod, but what a difference indeed! Here’s one seedling:


[S. purpurea ssp. venosa v. burkii f. luteola – C. Gussman, May 2011]

The above photo is what I would expect with this cross, a more typical form/shape of luteola.  Now, just for illustrative purposes, below is a photo of one of my other luteola plants, so you get the idea of a general pitcher shape:


[S. purpurea ssp. venosa v. burkii f. luteola – Rob Co’s, April 2010]

However, below is the other seedling that resulted from the cross Chris did — and DUDE,  it is just something else! He called it “Odd”… I’ll just stick it with that, for now, until he thinks of a better name for it!  🙂


[S. purpurea ssp. venosa v. burkii f. luteola “Odd Clone”- C. Gussman, May 2011]

At a young age, I really am impressed by this clone.  What strikes me about this is the upright and triangular ruffled hood.  It’s also not as “tubby” as I would expect.  Again, it’s young so features can change and develop as it ages.  Here’s a couple more shots of this plant…


[S. purpurea ssp. venosa v. burkii f. luteola “Odd Clone”- C. Gussman, May 2011]


[S. purpurea ssp. venosa v. burkii f. luteola “Odd Clone”- C. Gussman, May 2011]

Chris, thank you again so so very much for your kindness and generosity!

Genetics

 

Genetics
[Sarracenia ‘Wilkerson’s Red’ OP]

My momma always said, Life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.
– Gump

You know, genetics is a pretty funny thing. Especially when it comes to breeding and Sarracenia seedlings.  It’s always interesting to see what comes up.  Some are good, some bad. Some just fugly.  The genetic diversity is pretty interesting though. Check out this post on diversity from fellow blogger James at Lost in the Landscape. Now when I do crosses I do have a general idea in mind of what the progeny will kind of look like. I have ideas and hopes of what characteristics would pull through from the parents… but it’s always a surprise.

You also have the OP’s (Open Pollinated) plants that you have no idea really who the pollen parent is.  In the above photo – this is one of those OP crosses. The pod parent is S. ‘Wilkerson’s Red’, and I have no idea who the pollen parent is.  You can see 1) that it’s in dire need of repotting and 2) the diversity from this one OP cross from one Sarracenia seed pod.  That red seedling is mos def’ one to watch out for.