To Self-Pollinate or Not? Insights from Carrie Kruger, Utopia Clivias SA
One of the most frequently asked questions among new Clivia breeders, especially when working with interspecific hybrids, is whether or not to self-pollinate their plants.
Due to the extensive genetic diversity present within a single interspecific Clivia, the outcomes of breeding are inherently unpredictable. As such, it is generally recommended to grow these hybrids to flowering maturity and evaluate their progeny carefully. However, not all growers have the space or resources to raise large numbers of seedlings to flowering size.
From our experience, self-pollination can be a valuable tool when used judiciously. We have observed that some self-pollinated F2 progeny have surpassed their parent plants in both form and color, demonstrating that selfing remains a viable option when pollen sources are limited or uncertain.
Case Study: The “Jupiter” Hybrid
“Jupiter,” one of our earliest interspecific seedlings, originated from the late Johan Conradie of Stilbaai. It is a complex hybrid, bred from (Gardenii × Miniata) × (Miniata × Gardenii). When “Jupiter” first flowered in 2012, it bloomed slightly out of season, and due to a lack of suitable pollen, we chose to self-pollinate the plant.
As is common with many interspecific Clivias, “Jupiter” produced only five seeds from self-pollination, highlighting the frequent partial sterility to their own pollen observed in these hybrids. These seeds were sown in 2013. We also noted that seedlings from selfed seeds tend to grow more slowly than those from cross-pollination and are more susceptible to rot.
Progeny Performance
Sibling A – “Planet Earth” (Flowered 2018):
A compact, neat plant bearing large, open, bell-shaped flowers. The blooms exhibit a delicate yellow-cream interior with a pink blush on the outer tepals, complemented by an infusion of green tones. “Planet Earth” represents a significant improvement in both form and color over its parent.Sibling B (Flowered 2019):
This plant displayed a pleasing pastel pink coloration with a subtle green overlay and well-formed open flowers. Although attractive, it was not retained in our collection and was sold.Sibling C – “Callisto” (Flowered 2020):
Named after one of Jupiter’s moons, “Callisto” showcases a striking combination of mustard yellow, olive green, and pink hues. While less compact than “Planet Earth,” its floral display is truly exceptional.
The remaining siblings have yet to flower, which is not uncommon given that interspecific Clivias can take up to six years to reach maturity. Interestingly, these hybrids often produce offsets before flowering, which may aid in their propagation.
Conclusions on Self-Pollination of Interspecific Clivias
Our experience confirms that many interspecific Clivias exhibit partial sterility to their own pollen, resulting in few viable seeds when selfed. Additionally, selfed seedlings tend to be slower growing and more vulnerable to rot. Nonetheless, the quality of offspring produced from self-pollination can be outstanding and may yield plants superior to the parent hybrid.
For breeders uncertain about which pollen to apply, self-pollination remains a worthwhile strategy to uncover hidden genetic potential and achieve exceptional results.
