Introduction
The main objective of the Hippeastrum breeding program
at Penning Breeding is the development of a complete new
Hippeastrum-assortment in different types and colours. The program is
founded on two principles:
1. improvement of existing types and
2. development of innovative Hippeastrum types.
The selection procedure is based on a number of important traits:
 | bulb: growth rate, shape and vigor, offset production, chipping or twin scaling success factor. |
| leaves: quality, length and position (upright/flat) |
| flower: colour, shape, size, bud presentation, bracelets |
| production: number of stems per bulb, number of flowers per scape, number of days from planting till flowering |
| scape: length and firmness |
| characteristics desired by the consumer, including life of flower (potted plants and cut flowers), floral development (cut flowers only) |
| environment: resistances to fusarium and stagonospora |
The breeding program also consists of different special projects:
|
small flowering and midi-types |
|
double flowering varieties |
|
different flower-types, such as "cybister" types |
|
spotted varieties |
Procedure
Every year a new crossing program is
established and implemented. The seedlings should flower from seed in less
than two years. Seedlings that do not meet this standard are
discarded. Selected seedlings are propagated by means of twin-scaling.
During the next few years, the new clones are tested extensively,
eventually resulting in the annual introduction of 2-4 new varieties on
the market. Important in the selection procedure is the opinion of
commercial growers, exporters and consumers during the
annual Open Days in November, where all new varieties and promising new clones are shown to the
public. It takes about 7-9 years from crossing for a new cultivar to
become available commercially.