Comments on: My Lathyrus Species Project – A Rainbow of Rare Flowering Peas https://gardern.co.za/2016/07/my-lathyrus-species-project-rainbow-of/ Horticulturist Matt Mattus shares gardening expertise, research and science from his home garden and greenhouse. Thu, 13 Aug 2020 21:30:06 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.1 By: Matt Mattus https://gardern.co.za/2016/07/my-lathyrus-species-project-rainbow-of/#comment-631 Sat, 11 Feb 2017 04:43:54 +0000 #comment-631 In reply to Anonymous.

Thanks Cad. Dr. Hammett's work is familiar to me (but I can't for the life of me remember why!) Going to check on all that now. I knew about the yellow crosses but not about the increased resistance. I have some contacts in Japan, but not anyone working with Lathyrus. I too was surprised that these species only lasted a short period of time, but maybe it was the heat?

]]> By: Thorough Lad https://gardern.co.za/2016/07/my-lathyrus-species-project-rainbow-of/#comment-630 Fri, 02 Sep 2016 17:07:45 +0000 #comment-630 Best flower shop in the city! Their 'ready to go' floral arrangements are the best deal in town – and last well over a week. Plus, San Francisco Flower Delivery shop always seem open – so great to pick them up on way home from dinner.

]]> By: Anonymous https://gardern.co.za/2016/07/my-lathyrus-species-project-rainbow-of/#comment-629 Sat, 23 Jul 2016 17:12:38 +0000 #comment-629 I’m constantly surprised by how differently plants fare with you than over here in the far west of England [Cornwall].
Most of the species I have grown are constantly in flower for about 2 months through the summer as long as they are dead headed [or for the straggly ones I cut back whole stems].
In particular L. aphaca and sativus just keep going; but then as you said before your ‘sweet peas’ are over with summer heat in a very short season too. In Cornwall we have just had three days with temperatures over 21C [70F]. For us that makes this a hot summer!
Are you trying any of the perennial species? We have access to a range of colours in L.latifolius, usually sold under the names of ‘The Pearl’ series. Sadly they are usually seed raised and variably true to colour, and seldom true to the improved flower size and ‘poise’ of the named forms [which should be propagated from cuttings].
Is the spring flowering Lathyrus vernus hardy with you?
The Japanese have done breeding work on latifolius to produce forms improved for cut flowers, but I have not found a way to access seed or plants of Japanese breeding. Do you have contacts in Japan?
L. belinensis needed Dr. Keith Hammett [UK born – emigrated to New Zealand] to intervene with embryo rescue in vitro to cross with odoratus [the work published in 1994]. The progeny were self-sterile but can back cross to odoratus. The Hammett strains managed to fix some interesting colours and the ability to produce ‘reveres bicolours’ [standard paler than wings]. ‘Yellow’ has yet to emerge in the progeny, but resistance to powdery mildew has! His web site is always worth perusing.

Chad.

]]> By: Nic https://gardern.co.za/2016/07/my-lathyrus-species-project-rainbow-of/#comment-628 Fri, 22 Jul 2016 22:01:43 +0000 #comment-628 Fascinating! Thank you for the detailed and beautifully illustrated post!

]]> By: Unknown https://gardern.co.za/2016/07/my-lathyrus-species-project-rainbow-of/#comment-627 Thu, 21 Jul 2016 14:53:34 +0000 #comment-627 great post

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