Introduction

Do you have a flower or
vegetable growing in your garden
that's a little bit different?

Perhaps it's a different colour to the normal shade, or maybe the blooms are larger, double or uniquely shaped or patterned? Or is the plant taller or shorter than usual, particularly compact or maybe it has produced unusual, coloured leaves?

If your answer is yes to any of the above, then you might just have something special. Even if your answer is no, then you can still try your hand at a spot of plant breeding to create your own new plants, thanks to this helpful guide.

This easy to follow guide will explain two methods of discovering new plants in your garden. Firstly, it will teach you how observation skills can help you recognise when an unusual plant naturally appears. It will also explain, step by step, how to breed your own plants by hand!

Plant breeding is not merely for boffins working in sterile laboratories or elaborate glasshouse breeding stations. Plant breeding can be fun and very rewarding especially when you bear in mind that every plant you raise has the potential to be unique. Basic skills for plant breeding are patience, good observation and a clear idea about what you are hoping to create.

You do not need much room or space. Some gardeners over the last 350 years have vied with each other to produce the ideal new plant in only the tiniest of back gardens. Plants like Calendula, Dianthus, Nasturtium, Nemesia, Petunia and many others can be grown in pots and will take up little space.

Plant breeding involves two basic methods: Selection and Cross Pollination. When using cross-pollination avoid the use of F1 hybrid varieties as they often have very involved parentage, which can slow down breeding in the early stages. F1 hybrids can, however, be a good source of variation when using selection to find new material. More about this later.