Before trying to hybridize the "perfect" Ping, it would be good
to have an idea of what the goals are.
Here's my first cut at the ideal Ping:
1) free flowering with large, showy flowers
2) no winter dormancy
3) thick, succulent leaves with reddish tinge
4) tolerant of moderately low humidity
5) roots resistant to drying and mold
It would also be nice to develop varieties of several colors, including
white, red, orange, yellow, greenish, blue and violet.
OK, so here's the quiz for the group: 1) If you had to develop the "ideal"
Ping what qualities would you choose? and 2) Which species would you
use as the basis for your breeding stock, and what is your reasoning?
Lets say you are limited to 4 species, as a cross of two crosses:
[[A x B] x [C x D]]. Which species would you choose that are most
likely to meet your ideal?
I think I would choose among the mexican varieties to avoid complex
dormancies. Heres my list of 4:
1) P. moranensis for free flowering
2) P. esseriana for beautiful leaf coloration and shape
3) P. agnata for succulent leaves
4) ???
What would be your best guess?
-- Rick