The Daphnis Hybrids

The BC3 Backcrosses

In order to get a BC3 backcross the breeder gives pollen of a pure Moutan on the stygma of a BC2 backcross. By doing so the share of the genetic Moutan strain may be increased and even more beautiful flowers may be achieved.

'Ariadne'

'Ariadne' is a BC3 backcross with peach-colored petals which are slightly red-fringed at the margin. 'Ariadne' is semi-double: the inner rows of petals are beautifully ruffled and pointed. The outer petals are rounded and well formed. Ariadne, the daughter of King Minos, helped Theseus to defeat the Minotaur in the ill-famed labyrinth. The strain: 3/4 Moutan, 1/4 Lutea. Photo: Nassos Daphnis

There Minos imprisoned the monster, half-bull, half-man, and twice feasted him on Athenian blood; but when, after a further interval of nine years, a third band of victims was demanded, this brought about the creature's downfall. For, thanks to the help of the princess Ariadne, Theseus rewound the thread he had laid, retraced his steps and found the elusive gateway as none of his predecessors had managed to do. Immediately he set sail for Dia, carriing with him the daughter of Minos. Ovid, Metamorphosis 8, 169 - 174

Parents	unnamed BC2 x 'Impomon' (Moutan)
Number of seedling	D-304
Crossing	BC3
Year of crossing	1964
Germination	1965
First Blooming	1974
Registration	1980
First grafted	1982
On the market since	1985

'Iphigenia'

'Iphigenia' has single deep red flowers which are formed by two rows of rounded and well-shaped petals with maroon small basal blotches. The inner row of petals curve backwards, while the outer petals lie flat. Unfortunately the plant is infertile in both directions. Strain: 3/4 Moutan, 1/4 Lutea. The plant is named after Iphigenia, the daughter of Agamemnon. Photo: Nassos Daphnis

Some believed that Poseidon was sparing Troy, because he had built the city walls, but the son of Thestor was not one of these. He well knew, and proclaimed aloud, that the anger of the maiden goddess must be appeased by the blood of a maiden. So the claim of the common good prevailed over private affection, and the duty of a king conquered a father's feelings. Surrounded by weeping priests, Iphigenia stood before the altar, to offer her pur blood in sacrifice. The goddess was won over: She cast a veil of cloud over the eyes of the asssembled company and, amid the bustle and confusion of the ceremony, and the din of suppliant voices, substituted a stag in place of the princess from Mycenae. Ovid, Metamorphosis 12, 25 - 34

Parents	unnamed BC2 x 'Daioh' (Moutan)
Number of seedling	D-304
Crossing	BC3
Year of crossing	1963
Germination	1964
First Blooming	1973
Registration	1976
Frist grafted	1980
On the market since	1985

'Leda'

'Leda' flowers mauve-pink with strong streaky veins. The single, very large flowers with two rows of well formed and rounded petals display their beautiful center and the radiating dark mysterious basal blotches when quite open. The flower is very big, like any Moutan. Leda, the legendary queen of Sparta, was loved by Zeus in the shape of a swan. She was the mother of the twins Castor and Pollux. 'Leda' germinated in the studio of the artist on West Broadway in New York. Strain: 3/4 Moutan, 1/4 Lutea. Photo: Nassos Daphnis

The tapestry showed Asterie too, held fast by the struggling eagle, and Leda reclining under the swan's wings. Ovid, Metamorphosis 6, 108 - 109

Parents	'Kokamon' (Moutan) x unnamed BC2
Number of seedling	D-308
Crossing	BC3
Year of crossing	1964
Germination	1965
First Blooming	1974
Registration	1980
First grafted	1982
On the market since	1986

'Nike'

'Nike' blooms with coral peach flowers with two rows of well-formed round petals that have a golden glow. It has red flares and yellow anthers. The flower stands well above the foliage on very strong stems. An excellent bloomer. A ten-year-old plant is about 150 cm in height. The flower has pollen, seeds, and stamens. Fragrant. It blooms in late May. Nike is the Greek goddess of victory. Photo: Walter Good

The rising moon was now displaying her horns for the sixth time, and still the outcome of the struggle hung in the balance. Winged Nike had long been hovering between the two sides, undecided. Ovid, Metamorphosis 8, 11 - 13

Parents	unnamed BC2 x 'Guardian of the Monastery' (Moutan)
Number of seedling	D-368
Crossing	BC3
Year of crossing	1966
Germination	1967
First Blooming	1976
Registration	1987
First grafted	1987
On the market since	1990

'Oread'

'Oread' has semi-double pale pink flowers with stamens and pollen. No seeds. Good substance, reliable, one bud per stem. Grows 120 cm - 150 cm, good stem strength, 10 - 20 blooms. Vigorous with light green foliage, blooms the end of May. We have been observing the plant for about 10 - 15 years. It is worthy of being inctroduced. The color is almost white with red overcast and red flares in the center. Two rows of petals are tidily arranged. One feels the mountain breeze and a warm feeling. Oread is a mountain nymph in the Greek mythology. Photo: Nassos Daphnis

Since destiny does not allow Demetra and Hunger to meet, she could not approach this creature herself, but she gave orders to a rustic oread, one of the mountain spirits... Ovid, Metamorphosis 8, 784 - 787

Parents	Maria Teressa** x 'Gessekei' (Moutan)
Number of seedling	D-345
Crossing	BC3 (?)**
Year of crossing	1968
Germination	1969
First Blooming	1978
Registration	1996
First grafted	1996
Will be on the market in	2000

** 'Maria Teressa' is an accidental seedling with unknown pollen parent.

'Thalia'

'Thalia' blooms dark pink, single to semi-double with two rows of petals. The color is light red to dark pink with bluish overcast. It is very graceful with the petals forming two circles around the base in perfect harmony. Good substance, stamens, pollen, and no seeds, fragrant. Reliable, one bud per stem, amount of bloom varies (10 - 20). Good stem strength, 120 cm - 150 cm in height, blooms in late May, light green foliage, vigorous. Thalia was one of the three Graces, the Muse of the amusing art of poetry. Photo: Nassos Daphnis

These things, then, the Muses sang who dwell on Olympos, nine daughters begotten by great Zeus, Cleio and Euterpe, Thaleia, Melpomene and Terpsichore, and Erato and Polyhymnia , and Urania and Calliope, who is the chiefest of them all. Hesiod, Theogonie 75 - 79

Parents	Seedling D-206 (unnamed BC2) x Seedling D-206 (unnamed BC2)
Number of seedling	D-511
Crossing	BC3
Year of crossing	1982
Germination	1983
First Blooming	1992
Registration	1995
First grafted	1995
Will be on the market in	2000

'Zeus'

'Zeus' flowers mauve-pink with strong streaky veins. The semidouble to double, very large flowers with well-formed and rounded petals display their beautiful center and the radiating dark mysterious basal blotches when quite open. The flower is very big, like any Moutan. The plant has the same parents like 'Leda' . Zeus was the highest of the gods in Greek mythology. Photo: Nassos Daphnis

Dear Zeus! I marvel at Thee. Thou art lord of all, alone having honour and great power; well knowest Thou the heart and mind of every man alive; and Thy might, O King, is above all things. How then is it, Son of Kronos that Thy mind can bear to hold the wicked and the righteous in the same esteem? Theognis, 373 - 78

Parents	'Kokamon' (Moutan) x unnamed BC2
Number of seedling	D-309
Crossing	BC3
Year of crossing	1964
Germination	1965
First Blooming	1974
Registration	1980
First grafted	1982
On the market since	1986

'Medea'

Picture of 'Medea' will follow

'Medea' flowers with single blossoms in a red that changes into a deep maroon. The waved petals form two circles. The inner petals form an irregular framing of the center, while the outer petals curve outward. The substance is sensuous and appealing. The color, the form and the deep center make it one of the most dramatic flowers. Strains: 3/4 Moutan, 1/4 Lutea. Medea was the legendary princess and sorceress from Kolchis.

Stretching up her arms towards these stars, Medea turned herself about three times, three times sprinkled her head with water drawn from the river, and three times uttered a wailing cry. Then, sinking to her knees on the hard earth, "O night," she prayed, "most faithful guardian of my secrets, and golden stars, who, with the moon, succed the brightness of the day, goddess Hecate, triple-formed, you who ever know my undertakings, and come to aid my spells and magic arts and you, O earth, the source of the magician's powerful herbs: you too, breezes and winds, mountains, rivers and lakes, all spirits of the groves and of the night, be present! Ovid, Metamorphosis 7, 188 - 198

Parents	'Guardian of the Monastery' (Moutan) x 'Sappho' (F2A x F2B)
Number of seedling	D-360
Crossing	BC4
Year of crossing	1966
Germination	1967
First Blooming	1975
Registration	1977
First grafted	1980
On the market since	1986

Back