The Garden Community for Garden Lovers

You can return to our rhododendrons page or browse the pictures using the next and previous links.

My own Yak hybrid "Suffolk Pink"

DavidS

By Davids


My own Yak hybrid "Suffolk Pink"

About 20 years ago, I tried my hand at hybriding: my aim was to maintain the compact habit and leaf form of the species, while transfusing a bit more "red blood" into
the family. This I did by using the pollen from the red Yak hybrid "Dopey" one of the Seven Dwarfs!

I sowed the seeds, and grew on about 20 seedlings, discarding any that didn't conform to the compact habit and leaf shape I wanted.

I had to wait SIX YEARS ( from pollination) to see my first flowers.The result was leaf-form and compact habit of the species, with deeper and longer-lasting colour.

There are other better pinks around, but this is MY BABY!



Comments on this photo

 

Wonderful and congratulation on such success. It is very pretty.

10 Jun, 2013

 

That's beautiful David, well done you!

10 Jun, 2013

 

well worth the wait

11 Jun, 2013

bjs
Bjs
 

David
Congratulations quite an achievement, How old is this one now .
Have you continued to grow many more of the seedlings and if so was there much variation. I imagine space could be a factor, for you being ruthless with them I would think be quite difficult.
Have you been tempted to try any other crosses.
B.

8 Jul, 2013

 

Thanks for your comment pjs; the Suffolk Pink Yak Rhodo
is now over 20 years old, and is 2ft. across: I only grew-on the one seeding: as that project took up 6 years of my life, my instinct is to "tick the box" and move on; job done! My time and energy was then spent on developing
my small "vinyard" and rose garden. Good luck with your
hybridizing projects.

8 Jul, 2013

 

6 years not wasted.

nice colour great it lasts a bit longer.

from jane.

21 Jul, 2013

 

I really like the deep pink color of the flowers and it sure does have a lot of them! Have you considered trying to sell any of your hybrids commercially?

7 Feb, 2014

 

Thanks for your reply RK, no, I did not consider selling my hybrids, They are projects which I enjoy, and learn a lot, and after the thrill of the result, I move on to the next project, - you could call me a gardening, thrill-seeker! After the Rhodo project, I moved on to planting a new rose garden, and developing my garden-vineyard; I now grow 25 disease-resistant grapevine, and making
good quality wine.

David

7 Feb, 2014

 

That is impressive, I have wanted to try cross-pollinating some of my daphnes but as often as they flower the only one that ever sets fruit is Daphne tangutica. I think it's great that you have been able to do that AND get good results!

8 Feb, 2014




   Photo 255 of 285

  • previous slideshow photo
  • next slideshow photo

What else?

Members who like this photo

  • Gardening with friends since
    1 Jun, 2013

  • Gardening with friends since
    2 Nov, 2009

  • Gardening with friends since
    17 May, 2009

  • Gardening with friends since
    9 Aug, 2009

  • Gardening with friends since
    4 Apr, 2014