Hybridizers: How would one hybridize Oriental Poppies?, 5 by Zen_Man

Zen_Man wrote:
Hi ToneBone,

That is true, if an interspecific hybrid has an odd number of chromosomes, it will not set viable seed. However, that does not keep it from being useful. For one thing, it could be propagated asexually, from cuttings or from tissue culture.

And some interspecific hybrids can have an even number of chromosomes. For example Zinnia elegans (24 chromosomes) x Zinnia haageana (also 24 chromosomes) gives, understandably Zinnia hybrida (24 chromosomes) which can set viable seeds.

I am a zinnia hobbyist and essentially all of my zinnias are Zinnia hybrida with 24 chromosomes. Interspecific hybrids can have a much wider range of genetic recombination than \"intraspecific\" hybrids. Photos show just some examples.

ZM