Is it possible to intentionally cross-pollinate lavender for new varieties?

It is absolutely possible to intentionally cross-pollinate lavender for new varieties. This is precisely how many new lavender cultivars, especially hybrid types like Lavandins (Lavandula x intermedia), have been developed by plant breeders.

Here's how intentional cross-pollination generally works in the context of creating new lavender varieties:

1. Selecting Parent Plants:

   • The breeder starts by selecting two parent lavender plants with desirable traits they want to combine. For example:

     • One parent might have exceptional essential oil quality.

     • The other might have superior cold hardiness or a unique flower color.

     • To create a Lavandin, a breeder would select a specific Lavandula angustifolia cultivar and a specific Lavandula latifolia cultivar.

2. Emasculation (Removing Male Parts):

   • To ensure a controlled cross and prevent self-pollination (if the chosen "female" parent is capable of it) or pollination by unwanted pollen, the breeder will typically emasculate the flowers of the designated "female" parent. This involves carefully removing the anthers (the pollen-producing male parts) from the flowers before they release any pollen. This is often done with fine forceps.

3. Pollen Collection:

   • Pollen is collected from the designated "male" parent. This can be done by gently brushing a small, clean brush (like a fine artist's paintbrush) or a cotton swab onto the anthers of the flowers to pick up the pollen.

4. Pollination (Applying Pollen):

   • The collected pollen is then carefully transferred and dusted onto the stigma (the receptive female part) of the emasculated flowers on the "female" parent plant.

5. Isolation/Bagging:

   • After pollination, the pollinated flowers or flower spikes are often covered with a breathable bag (like a small paper bag or fine mesh bag) and secured. This prevents any unwanted, uncontrolled cross-pollination by insects or wind from other lavender plants.

6. Seed Development and Collection:

   • If the cross is successful, the pollinated flowers will develop seeds. Once the seeds mature, they are carefully collected.

7. Germination and Selection of Offspring:

   • The collected seeds are then planted. As discussed previously, because these are hybrid seeds, the resulting seedlings will show variability.

   • This is where the crucial work of selection begins. The breeder grows out many of these seedlings and carefully observes their characteristics over several growing seasons. They look for new plants that exhibit the desired combination of traits from both parents, or even novel, superior traits.

8. Stabilization and Propagation:

   • Once a promising new hybrid seedling is identified, it needs to be "stabilized." If the hybrid itself is fertile, further generations might be grown to check for consistency. However, for most lavender cultivars, especially hybrids like Lavandins, the chosen plant is then propagated vegetatively through cuttings. This creates genetically identical clones of the new, desirable plant, ensuring that its unique characteristics are maintained consistently for commercial production or widespread distribution. This is how a new "cultivar" is established.

This process can be time-consuming and requires patience, as many seedlings may not exhibit the desired characteristics. However, it's a fundamental method used in plant breeding to introduce new genetic combinations and develop improved or novel plant varieties.

Lavender Farm in Door County Wisconsin. You can buy lavender products online at islandlavender.com