Hi Rob,

" My zinnias are still going strong... "

You must live in a very warmer climate than I do. It was below zero this morning and single digit now. So nothing is growing outdoors here now.

I am not an expert on dianthus, so I don't know if they normally self themselves like sweet peas do. I have grown dianthus in an ornamental bed before, and I didn't notice any butterflies or bees on them. And I seriously doubt that they are wind pollinated. So you may not need to worry about your mutant crossing with your regular dianthus.

" I'm really really sure it is a mutant Dianthus because it was put in
fully sterile seed starting mix, a freshly opened bag, and kept inside
at all times (how could a weed get into it? I hope). "

Those procedures don't prove it is a mutant. I grow all of my indoor stuff that way. What comes up is simply what was in the seed packet, regardless of its origin. And there are many varieties and species of dianthus, so you could have something that was wildly different, but not a mutant, but just the case of your seeds being accidentally contaminated at the seed packaging company with a seed from a different variety or species of Dianthus.

But, in any case, you should be able to save seeds from your "mutant" and grow many more of them, and save seeds from all of those, and eventually fill your garden with your "mutant". Do take care of it and photograph it. I am sure a lot of people here know more about Dianthus than I do.

I considered breeding them at one time, but decided against it because they didn't seem to have any good yellow or orange colors. And they didn't have any really large blooms.

Do take care of your "mutant" and photograph it.

ZM

They're going strong inside. If you remember we talked about germinating after long storage ;)

What if it does have bees/butterflies (I'm pretty sure almost every flower I grow is attractive them)? How do I keep them from cross pollinating?

Hi Rob,

" They're going strong inside. "

Oh, yes, I am with you now. Well, indoors shouldn't be a problem. No bees or butterflies flying about. But, assuming it is a mutant and that you will be growing seed from them outside, and that bees might cross pollinate them, (that's a lot of assumptions) you can isolate individual blooms with tiny "hairnets" made of a special fabric. I have done that with zinnias to prevent bee contamination or bird damage.

If your mutant dianthus does require bee pollination, and you exclude the bees, then it is up to you to "be the bee" and hand pollinate your mutant dianthus.

At this point, this is all a bit speculative, because my first guess is that dianthus automatically self-pollinate themselves, like sweet peas do. And that any cross pollination would require some blossom surgery and hand pollination. But, if your "mutant" is some kind of breakthrough, then at some point you will want to cross it with other dianthus to diversify the new breed.

ZM

Wow. I had no idea. That is a great containment system. I will keep it in mind. All really great thoughts. Thanks!

Actually, I thought of a yellow Dianthus. If you ever wanted to grow one, it's D. knappii

Hi Rob,

Wow! Those Dianthus knappii are indeed yellow. If I were to take up Dianthus breeding, they would definitely go into the gene mix, provided they were cross-able with other Dianthus species. which they probably are. But, for the time being, I do have "my hands full" with Zinnia breeding.

I noticed in the Marigolds thread that you expressed an interest in tall Marigolds. I think those would be African Marigolds instead of the shorter French Marigolds. I think that one of the widest seed selections would be Hazzard's African Marigolds

ZM (not associated with any product or vendor mentioned or linked)

Hi Sigrid,

" You should be able to take cuttings from a dianthus pretty easily, so you can propagate it that way. "

That is an excellent point. I should have mentioned propagation by cuttings. Thanks for that suggestion.

ZM