Classification of daylilies according to the number of sets of chromosomes in the cell nucleus. There are two main types of daylilies:

1. Diploids (DIP)

2. Tetraploids (TET)

Ploidy is a characteristic of daylilies based on the number of sets of chromosomes found in the cell nucleus. The main types of modern daylilies are diploids and tetraploids.

1. Diploids (DIP)

By their natural origin, most species of daylilies and old varieties of daylilies are diploid. Diploids have a double set of chromosomes. Their number in the cell nuclei is 22. Diploid daylilies have delicate, elegant shapes. Most spiders and terry forms are diploids. Pure pink daylilies are mostly diploids. Many diploid varieties have been converted to tetraploid varieties.

2. Tetraploids (TET)

Tetraploid daylilies have four sets of chromosomes. Their number in tetraploids is 44. There are also triploid daylilies that have a triple set of chromosomes.
The first tetraploid daylilies were obtained in the late 40s - the last century, which was a breakthrough in daylily breeding. Tetraploids were obtained artificially, as a result of the action of a mutagen on diploid plants. By treating plants with a naturally occurring chemical, colchicine, polyploidy was provoked (an increase in the number of chromosomes in the cell nucleus during cell division). As a result, plants with a double set of chromosomes were obtained.
Tetraploid daylilies have numerous varieties with larger, more intensely colored flowers and a more rounded shape. Tetraploid plants themselves are more powerful; their flower stalks have strong, thick stems that allow them to hold large massive flowers. In addition, they are hardier in unfavorable conditions and more resistant to disease. The shape of the bush itself is dense, structural, does not fall apart even in heavy rain and wind, with powerful elastic leaves. Tetraploids are ideal for creating landscape compositions.

Some varieties of daylilies exist in two varieties: diploid and tetraploid. Diploids and tetraploids have their own advantages and disadvantages, which manifest themselves when creating new varieties. But this is more interesting to specialists involved in hybridization. Diploids, as a rule, only cross with diploids, tetraploids with tetraploids. Most gardeners prefer modern tetraploid versions with improved characteristics. And if you don't intend to hybridize, don't give a damn about which version of daylily you buy.

2. Classification of daylilies by type of vegetation

Classification of daylilies according to the type of their foliage and behavior in winter. There are three main types:

1. Dormant daylilies (Dormant or DOR for short)

In this group of daylilies, the foliage completely dies off for the winter with the onset of the first frost, and the plant goes into a dormant period until spring. This group of daylilies is ideal for growing in our climate.
Dormant daylilies can be divided into three subgroups:

1. Hard Dormant daylilies

With the fall in temperature in autumn, their foliage turns yellow, and with the onset of the first frosts it quickly dies. Moreover, not only the above-ground part of the daylily dies, but also the underground part. When the daily temperature drops, the growth point stops growing until spring and begins to grow very late. Spring growth of daylilies begins later than all other groups, only when temperatures rise and become warm enough to support the growing season.
This type of daylilies in our climate will remain dormant all winter, regardless of thaws and rising temperatures. Daylilies of this type are not suitable for growing in hot climates. They will not have enough rest period for a normal growing season, they will not be able to fully prepare for the next season, they will gradually stop blooming and die. This type of daylilies is ideal for our climate.

2. Sleeping daylilies (Dormant)

To stop the growing season, a really strong drop in temperature is required. Both the aboveground and underground parts of the plant die. In spring, dormant daylilies start growing late.
This type of daylily will also remain dormant all winter in our climate. Daylilies of this type are also not suitable for growing in warm climates. This type of daylily is well suited to our climate.

3. Semi-dormant daylilies

Daylilies of this group are the last to fall asleep, at the end of autumn - beginning of winter, after a long cold spell. They require real frosts. The foliage dies only to the level of the ground surface. The lower part with the growing point does not die off completely. And during winter thaws or warm winters it can begin to grow. In spring, daylilies of this group are the very first to wake up from sleep; their foliage grows very early. Daylilies of this group are suitable for growing in countries with warm winters. Their characteristics are similar to semi-evergreen daylilies. This type of daylilies can be grown in our climate.

2. Evergreen daylilies (Evergreen - EV)

Daylilies of this type have an almost continuous growing season only in warm climates (southern states of America, Australia, and other warm countries). The dormant period of evergreen daylilies lasts 2-3 weeks, when their active growth slows down slightly. Then growth and flowering begin again.
In our climate zone, which has large temperature differences in winter, evergreen daylilies behave differently. Therefore, evergreen daylilies can be divided into two subgroups according to their behavior in cold climates:

1. Evergreen daylilies

In our climate zone, the foliage of evergreen daylilies is frozen, the aboveground part dies off, but 3-5 cm of the stem still remains even under the snow. At the first thaw, the plant begins to grow. The frequency of thawing and freezing in winter has a detrimental effect on the growth bud and the plant may die. Daylilies of this group definitely require winter mulching and hilling. In late autumn, each bush is covered with 15-20 cm of pre-prepared dry compost or garden soil. In early spring, the mulch is raked away from the bush so that the plant can freely begin to grow. In the spring, after the snow thaws, a mushy mass of old, rotted leaves is formed, which rots and infects the healthy tissues of the plant’s root collar. Therefore, it is very important to remove the affected tissue in a timely manner. Daylilies of this group are the least suitable for growing in our climate. They have the highest probability of death even among experienced gardeners. They are not recommended for beginning daylily lovers. If you want to grow evergreen daylilies, you need to choose early-blooming varieties that will have time to lay flower buds. There is sufficient long-term experience in growing evergreen early-flowering varieties in regions with harsh winters, subject to proper agricultural practices. Late-blooming evergreen daylilies will not bloom in our climate zone, since they will not have time to lay flower buds.

2. Soft evergreen daylilies

Daylilies of this group have the lowest winter hardiness. In our climate zone, daylilies of this group freeze not only the above-ground part to the snow level, but also all parts located underground. In this case, the growing point dies and such a plant does not recover in the spring. Daylilies of this group are not suitable for growing in our climate; they are recommended to be grown only in regions with warm winters, where there is no freezing of the soil.

3. Semievergreen daylilies (SEV)

Semi-evergreen daylilies have intermediate foliage behavior during the winter. Daylilies of this group are flexible and can adapt to conditions of both hot and cold climates.
In warm regions, the foliage partially dies off after the onset of cold weather, about 10 cm of green young leaves remain above the soil surface and after a short period of dormancy begin to grow again.
In cold climates, the foliage of semi-evergreen daylilies will practically die off, but they cannot completely slow down their growth, like dormant ones. Therefore, for daylilies of this group it is also not so much low temperatures that are dangerous, but winter thaws. In snowy winters, these daylilies overwinter well in our climate. Daylilies of this group also need to be protected from winter temperature changes by mulching for the winter. Semi-evergreen daylilies are well suited to growing in our climate.

3. Classification by flowering time

Different varieties of daylilies bloom from early spring to late autumn. Flowering times also depend on the planting location. Daylilies planted in partial shade bloom 2 weeks later, but their flowers do not fade in the sun. This is primarily important for dark varieties and varieties with intense bright colors (red and orange). By selecting varieties of different flowering periods, you can achieve continuous flowering throughout the season.
Among early and mid-flowering daylilies there are many re-flowering remontant varieties (Rebloom or abbreviated as Re). Remontant varieties of daylilies have the feature of repeat flowering. After the main flowering, the daylily has a short dormant period, and then re-blooms closer to autumn. There are varieties that bloom continuously for several months.
According to the timing of flowering, daylily varieties according to the American classification are divided into 7 groups:

1. Very early daylilies (Extra Early or abbreviated as EE)

Daylilies of this group are the first to open the flowering season. In our climate zone it is the beginning of June. There are very few such varieties.

2. Early daylilies (Early - E)

Daylilies of this group begin flowering in mid-June.

3. Early - middle daylilies (Early Midseason - EM)

Flowering time is from late June to mid-July.

4. Medium daylilies (Midseason - M)

The peak flowering period for daylilies in the garden is July. Most varieties bloom during these times.

5. Late Midseason - LM

The beginning of flowering is mid-August - early September, occurring after the mass peak of flowering.

6. Late daylilies (Late - L)

These varieties bloom when most daylilies have already bloomed - late August. Many varieties of this group do not have time to bloom before frost and prepare for winter. Evergreen and semi-evergreen late-flowering varieties are not suitable for our climate. They will not have time to lay flower buds and will never bloom.

7. Very late daylilies (Very Late - VL)

Daylilies of this group do not bloom in our climate.

4. Classification according to flower opening characteristics

This classification includes the characteristics of flowering varieties: the time of day when the daylily opens its buds, and how many hours the flower lasts before withering.
The short life of the flower is compensated by the abundant flowering of the bush for a long time. One flower gives way to another.

1. Daytime (Diurnal or DIU for short):
2. Night (Nocturnal or NOC for short):

1. Day type (Diurnal or DIU for short)

Daylilies of this type open their buds early in the morning. The flower lasts all day until the evening. Most daylilies are of this type.

2. Night type (Nocturnal or NOC for short)

The flower opens towards the end of the day in the evening or at night, remaining open all night, and fades the next morning or afternoon.

3. Long-flowering (Extended - EXT)

Daylilies have another characteristic that shows the peculiarity of flower opening, which can be either diurnal or nocturnal. This is the Flower Opening Duration (Extended - EXT). This characteristic shows how long the flower remains open and does not fade. This characteristic is assigned to varieties whose flowers remain open for at least 16 hours, regardless of what type (day or night) they belong to. Some varieties open in the evening and can bloom for almost a day. But there are varieties in which the flowers fade almost immediately after blooming. There is daytime long flowering and night long flowering.

5. Classification according to the height of peduncles

A peduncle is a leafless stem bearing a flower in its upper part. Most of the flower stalks have a branch at the end, consisting of two or three branches, each of which bears its own flower bud. Different varieties of daylilies have different flower stem heights. Based on the height of their flower stalks, daylilies are divided into 3 groups:

1. Low daylilies- peduncle height 15-60 cm

2. Medium daylilies - peduncle height 60-90 cm

3. Tall daylilies - peduncle height - above 90 cm

6. Classification by flower size

This classification is based on the size of the daylily flower. There is no direct relationship between the size of the flower and the height of the peduncle or daylily bush. Daylilies with large flowers can be stunted, and miniature daylilies can also rise on tall peduncles high above the foliage.

1. Miniature - flower diameter up to 7.5 cm

2. Small - diameter from 7.5 to 11.5 cm

3. Large-flowered (Large) - from 11.5 cm and more

7. Classification by flower type

Based on flower shape, daylilies can be divided into six groups:

1. Single




6. Multiforms

1. Single

The flowers have six petals: three internal and three external, six stamens and one pistil.
This is the most numerous and popular group of daylilies, which is distinguished by great diversity.

2. Terry (Double or DBL for short)

Terry daylilies differ from simple-shaped daylilies by the presence of additional perianth petals. Moreover, the double form can be found in large-flowered daylilies, small and miniature daylilies, and spiders.
Terry daylilies are of two types:

1. “Flower in a flower”
2. Peony shape

1. “Flower in a flower”

Daylilies of this type, along with the main six petals, have an additional row of petals, and look like a “flower within a flower.”

2. Peony shape

This type of double daylilies resembles the shape of double peonies, where the petals inside the flower are so tightly packed that it gives the impression of a peony flower. These additional petals are obtained due to modification of the stamens and are called petaloids.
The fullness of daylilies is not a constant value. It may not appear on individual flowers, especially at the beginning of the flowering season. Newly planted plants may not show their double qualities in the first years. Climatic and weather conditions can also affect terry.

3. Spiders or spiders (Spider)

Spiders are daylilies with narrow, long, curved petals. The length of the petals of such daylilies is much greater than their width. Measurements are taken at the largest petal in a flat, straightened state in length and width. The ratio of the length of the petal to its width in spiders is at least 4:1. Recently, the fashion for spiders has become established. Spiders are rapidly gaining popularity among daylily lovers, outstripping all other forms for their grace and originality.

4. Unusual Form (UFO)

The term UFO (Unusual Form) refers to the classification of daylilies according to their exceptional and unusual shape. The ratio of the length of the petals to their width does not allow them to be classified as spiders.

There are three types of daylilies of unusual shape (Unusual Form):

1. Twisted (Crispate)
2. Cascade
3. Spatulate

1. Twisted (Crispate)

There are three varieties of twisted type of daylilies of unusual shape:

1. Pinched

These daylilies have pinched petal tips or have a pointed fold effect.

2. Twisted

The petals resemble a corkscrew shape or are twisted at the ends like a pinwheel.

3. Quilled

At the base, the petals curl lengthwise into a tube shape and end at the end with a flat part resembling a bird's feather.

2. Cascade

The narrow petals of such daylilies cascade down, resembling a waterfall, and at the ends they curl under themselves, looking like wood shavings. Each petal of such daylilies is an independent element, not united into a single whole with other petals, and is separated from neighboring petals, starting from the place of its attachment.

3. Spatulate

Daylilies of this type have narrow petals at their attachment points, flaring at the ends in the shape of a kitchen spatula.

Many varieties of daylilies with unusual shapes can bloom like typical representatives of their class, but can often combine more than one trait. As the flower opens, they change their shape or combination of shapes. Also, the inner and outer petals of the flower may have characteristics that belong to different types of daylilies with unusual shapes.

5. Polymer or polymers (Polymerous or abbreviated poly)

The term Polymeric or polymeric refers to daylilies that have a different number of flower segments than the normal number. Typically, daylilies have three inner and three outer petals in each flower whorl. Polymer daylilies have an increased number of segments. For example, 4x4 polymer daylilies (tetramers) have four inner and four outer petals. 5x5 polymer daylilies (pentamers) have five and five respectively. There are even 6x6 polymer daylilies with a petal count of 12. Polymer daylilies have additional petals evenly spaced in a whorl, unlike double daylilies, which have additional petals (petaloids) pointing up or lying on top of the main row of petals. This type of daylily is also called polytepalous or polytepal. In recent years, this type of daylilies has also become very popular.

6. Multiforms

This term is used for daylilies, in which it is difficult to determine the exact belonging to a certain class. They can exhibit two or more forms (spiders, unusual shapes, polymers or terry). For example, this type of daylilies may include: spider of an unusual shape, terry polymer, or polymer of an unusual shape.
The term multiform is used when registering daylilies whose flowers have two or more forms. There are varieties of daylilies in which, during flowering, a spider form, an unusual form, a polymer form, or a terry form may appear on one plant.

8. Classification by flower shape

Daylily flowers come in a wide variety of shapes. Below is a classification based on the flower shape of daylilies.

1. Circular
2. Flat


5. Star
6. Triangular
7. Trumpet

1. Circular

If you look at a blooming flower from above, the shape of the flower is round. Wide and short petals are pressed tightly against each other or overlap, creating the feeling of a single shape.

2. Flat

When viewed from the side, the flowers are completely flat except for the concave throat.

3. Indefinite form (Informal)

If you look at a daylily from above, it does not have a specific shape.

Flower segments may be unevenly distributed, widely spaced, or drooping.

4. With curved petals (Recurved)

Looking at the flower from the side, the flower segments appear convex, tucked in and folded under themselves. When the inner petals of daylilies are curled but the outer petals are not, this results in a triangular shape. If both the inner and outer petals are curved, the result is a round shape.

5. Star

The petals of such daylilies become elongated and pointed, and space appears between the petals. When we look at star-shaped daylilies from above, we can see that the flower resembles a three-pointed or six-pointed star.

6. Triangular

When viewing such daylilies from above, their shape resembles a triangle. The outer petals are usually curved back.

7. Trumpet

Looking at the flower from the side, it resembles a real lily. The petals are slightly convex and extend upward from the daylily's throat much more than a typical daylily.

9. Classification according to the branching of peduncles

This characteristic shows the number of branches in one peduncle. Different varieties can have either triple or quadruple branching. For temperate climates, varieties with a high degree of branching of peduncles are better suited. This guarantees long and abundant flowering.

10. Classification according to the number of buds on one peduncle

All branched peduncles end in buds. Their number varies for each variety. This is a characteristic of the variety based on the number of buds on one peduncle. The daylily flower is open for only one day. But, given that the bush has several stems, on which many flowers continuously open, in general, the daylily bush blooms for quite a long time. There are varieties in which the number of buds on one peduncle reaches up to 40.

11. Classification by smell

This classification is based on the degree of odor. There are varieties with a subtle aroma, while some varieties have a strong aroma.

1. With scent (Fragrant-Fr)

2. No fragrance (No fragrance - None)

3. With a strong odor (Very fragrant-VFr)

12. Classification of daylilies according to the duration of flowering of the entire bush

This characteristic shows the number of flowering cycles in a season.

1. Once blooming

2. Repeatedly flowering (remontant) (Rebloom-RE)

One of the important characteristics of the variety. Some varieties begin to bloom early and resume flowering after a short period of dormancy. Such varieties are called remontant. Modern tetraploid varieties are mostly re-flowering. But not all varieties described as remontant in warm climates will exhibit these characteristics in temperate climates. For daylilies to bloom again in central Russia, a warm, long summer is necessary.

13. Classification of daylilies by flower color

1. Basic Flower Color

The color range of modern daylilies is so diverse that it is impossible to give an accurate description of the color of the flower. In various sources there is a different classification based on this criterion. When describing the basic color of the flower itself, the American Hemerocallis Society (AHS) identifies only 5 groups of primary colors when registering daylilies:

1. Yellow
2. Reds
3. Pink
4. Purple
5. Melon or Creamy Pink

When describing varieties by hybridizers, to accurately clarify the color, as a rule, they use a detailed classification based on flower color:

1. Red
2. Pink
3. Purple


6. Orange
7. Light (Almost white) (Near white)
8. Yellow (Gold, Yellow)
9. Pastel

11. Two-color (Bicolor)

1. Red

The red group includes scarlet, carmine, tomato-red daylilies, burgundy, wine-red, crimson. Tetraploid pure red scarlet daylilies have appeared recently. For a long time it was not possible to obtain a pure red color without an admixture of bluish tint. In recent years, hybridization of pure red daylilies has been quite successful.

2. Pink

Pink daylilies include daylilies close to pink in color and its shades: pale pink, deep pink, reddish pink. In tetraploid daylilies, pure pink color is quite rare. But among diploid varieties, flowers with a pure pink color are often found.

3. Purple

Purple colors include: purple, crimson, ruby, cherry, burgundy (the colors of Burgundy wine).

4. Lilac (Violet) (Violet)

Lilac daylilies include: lavender, grape, violet.

5. Lavender (Bluish, Lilac) (Lavender)

This group includes lavender, bluish, lilac varieties.

6. Orange

This group includes all shades of orange: from light to bright orange.

7. White (Light) (Near white)

There are no completely white daylilies. White daylilies include all light varieties that have different shades: cream, peach, apricot, melon, pinkish, soft lavender.

Pastel daylily

Pastel daylily

10. Very dark (Almost black) (Dark)

Daylilies do not have a pure black color. But the color of daylilies in this group is so dark that in cloudy weather they appear completely black in the garden, although in bright sun they have shades of burgundy, purple and violet.

2. Throat Color

The central area of ​​a daylily flower is called the throat. Most daylilies have a throat color that differs from the main color of the flower. The throat color usually has shades of green, yellow, gold, orange, apricot, and melon.

3. Coloring of stamens (Stamen Color)

The color of the stamens may differ from the main color of the flower and throat. The stamens may not differ in color from the color of the petals. Typically their color ranges from light yellow to greenish. The anthers (at the tips of the stamens) are usually darker in color, sometimes black.

14. Classification according to the color characteristics of the color of the petals

1. Plain (Self)
2. Mixed color (Blend)

4. Bitone
5. Two-color (Bicolor)


8. Midline (Midrib)

10. The location of one color relative to another on the petals (Dusted, Dotted, Overlay, Wash, Speckled, Stippled, Flecked, Patterned, Butterfly, Kaleidoscope)

1. Self-colored daylilies

The outer and inner petals of solid daylilies are a shade of the same color. The color of the stamens and throat may vary.

2. Mixed color (Blend)

Mixed-color daylilies have two-tone coloring on the inner and outer petals. For example, light and dark pink tones smoothly transition into each other.

3. Multicolor (Polychrome)

In multicolored (polychrome) daylilies, many tones are mixed when coloring the petals. Daylilies change from one color to another. Such daylilies have at least three different tones in the color of the petals. For example, melon, pink, lavender and yellow.

4. Bitone

In two-tone varieties, the color of the inner and outer petals is the same, but different in shade and intensity. The inner petals of two-tone daylilies are darker than the outer petals. For example, the inner petals are intense pink, the outer petals are soft pink. In reverse - two-tone (reverse) varieties, on the contrary, the inner petals are lighter than the outer ones.

5. Two-color (Bicolor)

Two-color daylilies have absolutely different colors of inner and outer petals. The inner petals of two-color daylilies have a more saturated color tone. Reverse bicolor daylilies have more saturated outer petals.

6. Daylily Eye Zone (Eyezone)

A characteristic feature of many daylilies is the presence of the so-called eye zone - when around its throat there is an area in the form of a circle, different in color from the main color of the petals themselves. The pattern of the eye zone can have varieties:

1. Eye
2. Band
3. Halo
4. Watermark

1. Eye

The Eye is the circular dark area around the throat. The eye covers all the petals. There are modern varieties where the eye area encroaches so much on the petals that it is impossible to distinguish where the eye ends and the color of the petal itself begins. Now a new direction has appeared in hybridization: daylilies with kaleidoscopic (rainbow) eyes (Kaleidoscopic eyes). It is impossible to accurately describe eye color. It shimmers with all the colors of the rainbow.

2. Band

Band - similar to an eye, but the circular dark area is located only on the inner petals.

3. Halo

Halo - similar to a hoop, but only the pattern appears on both the outer and inner petals. The drawing itself is light, barely visible.

4. Watermark

Watermark is a wide area in the eye area of ​​a barely discernible tone.

7. Edge or Picoteed

Each daylily flower has a border (Edge) or picotee (Picotee) of a contrasting color along the edge of the petals.

1. Edge
2. Picotee

1. Edge

Edge is the outer boundary of the inner and outer petals, i.e. border of petals. The color of the border may match or differ from the color of the daylily's eye. The border can be so thin that it can resemble a thin wire, and also very wide (about 1 cm). The border can be bizarrely shaped in the form of hooks, tentacles, owl ears, horns, shark teeth, bubbles, knobs, fringe, angel wings, or braids.

2. Picotee

Picotee is a special type of border, when the border differs in color from the main color of the flower. The picote may have a lighter or darker edge, but must be of a contrasting color. For example, a red border on a light daylily. But the distinctive feature of picote is precisely the contrast, in contrast to the border, which in tone can match the main color of the petals. Picote can be bizarrely shaped like hooks, owl ears, horns, teeth, bubbles, fringe or braiding. Every picote can be said to be a border, but not every border can be called a picote.

8. Midline (Midrib)

The midline is a stripe that runs along the midrib along the entire daylily petal. It can be either very light in color or close in tone to the main color of the petals. The middle line can be flush with the surface of the petals, be convex or concave, creating a relief in-depth line cutting along the axis of the daylily petals.

9. Coloring the tips of the petals (Tipped)

The tips of the petals, and usually the tips of the inner petals, are painted in a different, most often contrasting color, different from the main color of the petals. In some daylilies, this color can occupy up to a third of the entire petal.

10. The arrangement of one color relative to another on the petals (Dusted, Dotted, Overlay, Wash, Speckled, Stippled, Streaking, Spotted, Flecked, Patterned, Butterfly, Kaleidoscope)

On the surface of the petals, another color may appear on top of the main, base color. This new color can transition into the main color in completely different ways.
This group combines various terms.

Dusted- when a new color appears in the form of an unclear coating on the main color

Dotted- this is when almost the entire surface of the daylily petals has dots of a different color

Overlay- a superposition of two colors when one color overlaps another

Wash- this term is used when another color appears unevenly distributed on top of the main base color of the petals. It's as if one color is being blurred by another.

Patterned- daylilies with an unusual pattern, having a pattern

11. Diamond Dusting

Diamond coating is the coating of flower petals in the form of tiny crystals that reflect light and sparkle in the sun. This gives the flowers a shiny and sparkling appearance, as if gold, silver or diamond dust had been applied to the petals.

Achimenes is a perennial herbaceous plant of the Gesneriaceae family, which includes its beautifully flowering relatives popular among gardeners (Usambara violet or Saintpaulia, gloxinia, smithiantha, streptocarpus, columnea, aeschynanthus, etc.).

I have been studying Achimenes for three years. In my collection there are both hanging and bush varieties - each of them is good in its own way. Their lovely flowers leave no one indifferent, because a lot of buds are formed on the plants at the same time. And the long-term flowering of Achimenes colors the house with bright colors for a long time, bringing a lot of joy!

Erect or ampelous shoots of Achimenes are simple or branched, usually pubescent. The opposite shiny leaves are jagged, of different sizes and colors (dark green, beet purple), covered with short, stiff hairs.

The flowers of different species of Achimenes have different sizes. They appear along the entire length of the stem in the axils of the leaves, solitary or collected in bunches of several pieces. The corolla of the flower is tubular-bell-shaped, simple with a 5-6-lobed limb or terry.

— Achimenes Ehrenberg(Achimenes ehrenbergii) - up to 45 cm high, shoots and leaves are densely pubescent; blooms in summer and autumn, large flowers up to 2.5 cm in diameter, lilac-pink outside and purple inside with a yellow throat, with orange spots.

— Achimenes varifolia(Achimenes heterophylla) – up to 30 cm tall, with purple stems; blooms profusely in summer and autumn, the flowers are large (5 cm), the corolla tube is fiery red 3 cm, with an expanded yellow throat, spotted.

— A Jimenez Mexican(Achimenes mexicana) – has weakly branching shoots 35-50 cm high; It blooms in summer and autumn, large flowers are lilac with a white throat, as well as white, pink, and purple. This species and its forms with showy flowers are most often found in the collections of gardeners.

Different species of Achimenes have different flower colors. Based on natural plants, breeders have developed numerous hybrids and varieties with a richer range of flower colors.

In the collections of flower growers, there are achimenes with white, yellow, blue, blue, lilac, pink, red, lilac, violet, as well as bicolor and multicolor corollas.

During the period of growth and flowering of Achimenes, moderate soil moisture is constantly maintained; it should not be allowed to dry out.

In autumn, after flowering ends, the leaves and stems of Achimenes begin to die. At this time, you need to gradually reduce watering to prepare the plant for the dormant period.

It is important to know that Achimenes are afraid of even slight coolness. Therefore, already at a temperature of +15 degrees, these plants stop development and begin to prepare for winter. And at a temperature of +10 degrees, Achimenes go into hibernation.

Every month I check the pots with dormant achimenes and lightly moisten the soil: I lightly spray it along the edge of the pot, because I am afraid of drying out the rhizomes.

Achimenes usually wakes up in late February or early March and produces sprouts that need light.

To grow achimenes, it is recommended to use a mixture of leaf soil, humus and sand. It is useful to add vermicompost to the substrate. perlite, vermiculite. chopped sphagnum moss. as well as hydrogel. Achimenes responds very well when adding a small amount of ground dry mullein (0.5 tsp) and 5 g of horn shavings per 1 kg of substrate.

Due to the shallow root system, it is better to plant Achimenes rhizomes in shallow pots, always with drainage holes. I place a layer of drainage at the bottom of the pot.

I place rhizomes horizontally on the surface of the leveled substrate.

Depending on its diameter, I plant from 3 to 10 nodules in one pot. I sprinkle the planted rhizomes on top with a small layer of substrate (2 cm or a little more).

All that remains is to water the Achimenes plantings with warm water, build a mini-greenhouse and place the pot in a warm and very bright place.

During the period of growth and flowering, Achimenes are regularly fed with complex mineral fertilizer with microelements. Microelements not only contribute to the active development of strong shoots, but also improve plant resistance to disease, favor the formation of many buds and enhance the color intensity of flowers.

The growing stems of Achimenes are fixed on supports to maintain a vertical position. Without support, the thin long shoots of the bush will lean down and hang over the edge of the pot.

Achimenes successfully reproduces vegetatively (dividing rhizomes, cuttings) and seeds. During seed propagation, the varietal characteristics of the parent plants are not transmitted.

The rhizomes of Achimenes are similar in appearance to a mulberry fruit or a miniature pine cone. Large rhizomes can be divided into several parts when planting. But they should not be too small, so that the young plants are strong and bloom well.

Achimenes can also be propagated by cuttings rooted from early to mid-summer in water, in moist coarse sand or a light substrate. But in this case, young weak plants cannot be sent for wintering, because they do not yet have rhizomes or they are still very small (they may dry out during storage). That's why I don't like this breeding method.

By artificially pollinating flowering achimenes, you can get seeds. They ripen approximately 2.5 months after the flower withers. Small seeds are extracted from the fruits that have become soft.

The bowl with the sown seeds is covered with glass or cellophane and placed in a warm place. The substrate is moistened from the tray.

Achimenes shoots appear in two to three weeks. Grown seedlings dive into pots. In the second year of life, young plants already bloom well.

Photos of popular varieties of Achimenes bred by Serge Saliba

From crossing the Achimenes varieties Orange and Yellow Queen in 2007, Serge Saliba obtained another spectacular plant, which received the name of the author. Achimenes Serge Saliba forms compact bushes with erect shoots and medium-sized double flowers of complex colors. If the throat is yellow, then orange-pink or salmon tones predominate towards the edges of the petals. A brown speck is visible in the center of the corolla. Achimenes flowers can change shades depending on growing conditions, lighting and room temperature.

Achimenes Serge's Revelation

Achimenes Blue Swan was registered by S.Saliba in 2013 and refers to varieties of Achimenes with unchanged flower color, no matter what conditions the plant is in. Large, up to six centimeters in diameter, Achimenes flowers have a delicate blue color, which changes to a light yellow or creamy tone towards the center of the corolla. The blue flowers of Achimenes, in the photo, look spectacular against the background of dark foliage, forming beautiful cascades.

Achimenes Blue Twice

Achimenes Blue Twice, designed by the famous S.Saliba, appeared much later, only in 2011, but has already become a decoration for many homes. Semi-double or double, not very large flowers of this plant are light blue with a lilac tint. A pattern of veins is visible on the rounded curved petals. There is a picture coating in the center of the rim. The Achimenes bush, as in the photo, is formed from erect shoots with green jagged foliage.

Achimenes Peach Cascade

Large flowers of Achimenes Peach Cascade are a gift for those who love bright colors. An ampelous plant, obtained in 2009 thanks to the breeding work of S.Saliba, generously presents the owner with eye-catching flowers of peach or pink-orange hue. This variety of Achimenes responds well to growing outdoors, but the color of the corollas may vary depending on the conditions created for the plant.

Achimenes Peach Cascade Improved

A variety with large, pure pink flowers, Pink Glory, is Achimenes bred by Serge Salib, bred by the master in 2009. The edges of the petals of this variety are corrugated, and in the center of the corolla there is a yellow spot, strewn with purple or deep pink specks and streaks. The bush, according to the description of Achimenes, consists of erect stems covered with dark green leaves with a burgundy back side. The plant is compact and unpretentious, blooms beautifully in the fresh air, in partial shade, and in the sun.

The brightly flowering hybrid Aurora Charm is Serge Saliba's Achimenes, presented by the author in 2009. The plant is distinguished by abundant flowering, and not only the general impression of the bright compact bush is interesting, but also of each corolla on it. The flowers are large, bright pink in color with the color towards the throat becoming first lilac and then yellow. The entrance to the pharynx is strewn with purple and purple-brown dots and streaks.

The flowers of this variety of Achimenes cannot be called large, but their color is quite remarkable. Achimenes Sauline, bred by Serge Salib in 2008, has a light yellow corolla, while the serrated petals along the edges are colored in bright pink-lilac tones. Individual dark pink specks can be seen throughout the flower. The plant is erect with serrated leaves of medium green color.

Achimenes Blueberry Lemon

The flowers of Achimenes Lavender Fizz are hard to miss. The variety, bred by Serge Saliba in 2012, will decorate any collection. Compact, upright plants are densely covered with jagged leaves and large double flowers of a surprisingly bluish-lavender hue. The peculiarity of this popular variety of Achimenes is the light color of the back side of the petals.

Achimenes Lavender Flame

In 2012, Achimenes lovers received many spectacular plants from Serge Salib. The Achimenes variety Lavender Flame is one such wonderful gift with light lavender flowers of quite large size. The throat of the Achimenes flower is marked by a noticeable yellow spot and burgundy-brown specks, which, turning purple, also covers the wavy petals. An erect bush with shoots covered with light green foliage.

Achimenes Nightfall from S.Saliba cannot compare with the previous plant in terms of flower size. But the variety introduced in 2011 is no less interesting and loved by flower growers.

Achimenes Petite Fadette

Achimenes Petite Fadette, introduced in 2007 by Serge Saliba, has small, semi-double or double flowers of a beautiful red hue. The color becomes more intense and thicker towards the entrance to the pharynx. The back side of the corolla is lighter. The leaves are also small and quite dark. Achimenes variety that can be considered miniature in all respects.

Achimenes Peach Glow

Medium-sized with drooping shoots, Achimenes Peach Glow from R.Brumpton blooms very readily and abundantly. Achimenes flowers are not very large, but are attractive with the delicate pink color of the petals and the yellow center and throat of the corolla.

Achimenez Dale Martens

Achimenes Serge’s Fantasy

Achimenes Serge’s Fantasy appeared thanks to the crossing of such well-known and beloved varieties of Achimenes as Elegance and Rainbow Warrior. Double, rose-like crimson flowers with a yellow center and a scattering of carmine spots on the corolla made the new variety of Achimenes, as in the photo, one of the most desirable.

Achimenes Last Dawn

The Achimenes variety Last Dawn from Serge Salib, released in 2011, has much in common with the previous plant. But this is only at first glance! Medium-sized double flowers of Achimenes combine the most unexpected shades of red and crimson, which gives the bloom a truly unique look. Upright bushes are compact and have a good tendency to branch.

Achimenes Golden Lady

The same parental couple that gave gardeners the “Serge Saliba” variety became the “culprit” behind the birth of a new master variety, Achimenes Golden Lady, in 2007. Delicate yellow or creamy flowers of Achimenes are medium in size, have an elegant semi-double corolla and are sometimes decorated with small lilac strokes. The plant is erect and green.

Achimenes Made In Heaven

photo

title, description

The flowers are unusually large for double varieties, yellow with lavender shades. Abundant flowering, resistant to direct sunlight. Ampelous shoots with green leaves are perfect for hanging flowerpots. A minimum of two pinchings is recommended.

Medium size flowers. The corolla is terry, dark blue-violet in color, the underside of the petals is light. The throat has a yellow spot with thick brown speckling. The leaves are green, the shoots are erect. Rhizomes are oblong, white with a burgundy tint. Compact and self-branching variety.

The flowers are large. The corolla is terry, pure white (in cool weather it can acquire a lavender-violet hue), and is shaped like a gardenia flower. The leaves are green, the shoots are erect. Rhizomes are ovoid, white. The variety is generous in flowering - it develops well in any conditions, but if it is grown in a well-lit place, you will get a white ball of many flowers. Resistant to heat and direct sunlight, therefore suitable for outdoor use.

Achimenes ‘Alter Ego’ (S.Saliba, 2012)

Very large double flowers, depending on growing conditions, the color varies from light blue to blue-violet. Lodging burgundy shoots with green leaves. Rhizomes are cone-shaped, white with a pink tint. A double version of the ‘India’ variety with larger flowers, the same leaves, habit and flowering characteristics. It is recommended to pinch at least twice, and support is also required to avoid the shoots from lodging under the weight of numerous flowers.

The flowers are large. The corolla is white, with a network of purple veins and dots around the center. There is a yellow spot at the entrance to the pharynx. The leaves are green. Stems with a brown tint, shoots erect, drooping with age. Rhizomes are oblong, burgundy. Victorian variety, named after the outstanding Belgian gardener and author of a number of works on floriculture Ambroise Verschaffelt (1825–1886).

Large simple yellow flowers with deep orange petal edges. Light green leaves. Quite a compact variety.

Achimenes is also perfect for decorating a balcony in the warm season. In summer, this plant can be taken out in a pot into the garden or planted in open ground.

Achimenes in nature and at home

Achimenes(Achimenes) is a large genus that includes about 50 species. These beautifully flowering plants are distributed in nature from Northern Mexico to Brazil, on the island of Jamaica.

In winter, Achimenes has a short period of rest. At this time, the above-ground part of the plant dries out, and elongated scaly rhizome nodules (rhisomes) containing a supply of nutrients remain in the ground.

Many types of Achimenes are common in floriculture, including:

— Achimenes white(Achimenes candida) – 20-45 cm high, green or red shoots; blooms in summer, flowers 1-1.5 cm in diameter, creamy white, reddish on the outside, yellowish at the throat, with red stripes.

— Achimenes erecta(Achimenes erecta) - 25-45 cm high, reddish shoots; blooms in summer, flowers up to 1 cm in diameter, scarlet-red.

— Achimenes longiflora(Achimenes longiflora) – 10-30 cm high, green or red stems; blooms in summer, the flowers are large (5.5-6.5 cm) blue or bluish-purple, sometimes pink and less often white, the throat is yellow.

— Achimenes prostrate(Achimenes patens) - about 30 cm high, has green or brown stems; blooms in summer, single lilac flowers 1.5-2 cm, corolla tube widened upward, with a spur at the base.

— A Jimenez fringed(Achimenes fimbriata) – up to 30 cm high with erect drooping stems; white flowers with fringed corolla edges.

The life of each Achimenes flower is short. However, during the period of its growth, more and more new buds are constantly formed on the plant, so in summer and autumn the bushes of Achimenes are completely covered with flowers.

Caring for Achimenes

Achimenes prefers an abundance of diffused light, with shading from direct sunlight.

Achimenes is moisture-loving; Irrigation water should be at room temperature or slightly warmer. But at the same time, an adult plant does not like to have its leaves sprayed or wet (otherwise spots will appear on them). You can periodically spray the air near the shoots of Achimenes, which promotes their better development and stimulates flowering.

During growth, Achimenes like to be kept in moderate heat (in summer about +23..25 degrees, up to +30). These plants easily tolerate warm drafts, which is important when they are on the balcony or on the windowsill near an open window.

I don’t cut off the shoots of a plant that is preparing to go dormant—I wait until they are completely dry. Then I remove the dry stems at the soil level and place the pots with the underground parts of the achimenes in a dry, dark, cool place. I store them in the common corridor of our apartment, where in winter the temperature is about +15 degrees or slightly higher.

I transplant the rhizomes that have awakened after wintering into a new fresh substrate - I prepare light and nutritious soil myself.

When the Achimenes sprouts begin to actively develop, the greenhouse is removed and watering is increased. Plants usually bloom 3-4 months after planting rhizomes.

Many Achimenes themselves branch well. To make non-branching plants bushy, I pinch the tops of young shoots.

Also, to prolong flowering, you need to pinch the tops of faded stems to form side shoots with buds.

Reproduction of Achimenes

During the growth process, Achimenes grow daughter rhizomes. Usually, the more cultivated the plant, the smaller its rhizomes, and the less “offspring” it produces.

To increase the number of shoots, rhizomes of valuable and rare varieties of Achimenes are germinated, sprinkled with a thin layer of substrate (0.6 cm).

Achimenes seeds are sown in February or early March on the surface of a light substrate or in damp coarse sand, without sprinkling them on top.

Insect pests may appear on Achimenes bushes (most often aphids or mites), so the plants should be inspected regularly, especially on hot days of summer and autumn.

The characteristics of Achimenes - long, abundant and bright flowering during the growth period, as well as the convenience of seasonal cultivation due to its dormant state in winter - make this plant very desirable for gardeners. Anyone who has purchased at least one variety of Achimenes strives to create a collection of these magnificent plants.

Lyudmila Filipova

All about bulbous plants on the website Gardenia.ru

For a beginning gardener who is only interested in plants from the Gesneriev family, getting to know Achimenes brings a lot of positive emotions and impressions. Not only can the flowers of this culture be simple and double, the bushes upright and ampelous, the hybrids and varieties of Achimenes offered today are very unpretentious and in return for simple care they willingly reward the owner with bright flowers.

Thanks to these qualities, flower growers have a lot of varieties of Achimenes, which are especially loved. These are both time-tested plants and new specimens recently obtained by breeders.

Descriptions and photos of varieties popular with experienced gardeners and beginners deserve attention and will help you find new plants to decorate your home.

Achimenes Serge Saliba

Achimenes Yellow English Rose

The famous breeder Serge Saliba also contributed to the creation of Achimenes varieties reminiscent of rose blooms. His Yellow English Rose - Achimenes, presented to lovers of indoor plants in 2012, became one of the author’s brightest achievements. Large double flowers of a beautiful yellow color stand out not only for their size and purity of shade, but also for the wavy, fringed edge of the petals. To maintain color, according to the description of Achimenes, it is better to keep the variety in diffused light.

Serge Saliba's Achimenes are well known and loved by flower growers in many countries. One of the most famous varieties of the plant is Serge’s Revelation, bred in 2013. The plant is distinguished by the fact that it forms extremely large achimenes flowers, up to seven centimeters in diameter, with blue-violet petals and a speckled corolla center.

Achimenes Blue Temptation

Achimenes flowers are blue or pale lilac in color and are always pure and delicate. Achimenez Blue Temptation, created by S.Saliba in 2012, is no exception. The terry corollas that open on plants have an interesting shape, pure color and tolerate summer heat well. According to the description, Achimenes of this variety is very unpretentious and pleases with lush, long flowering.

Achimenes Blue Swan

In 2012, Serge Saliba introduced the Achimenes variety Peach Cascade Improved with semi-double flowers, larger than the first version. The center of the corolla is decorated with additional petals and a rich yellow spot. The plant forms erect shoots covered with green foliage and blooms profusely and for a long time.

Achimenes Pink Glory

Achimenes Aurora Charm

Achimenes Sauline

In 2009, Serge Saliba obtained an amazing Achimenes Blueberry Lemon with semi-double or double flowers. The center of the corolla is colored yellow, becoming thicker and warmer towards the entrance to the pharynx. The petals of the Achimenes flower have spectacular purple, like watercolor stains and spots. The leaves are light, the shoots become drooping as they grow.

Achimenes Lavender Fizz

Achimenes Tropical Dusk

Achimenes varieties by Serge Saliba are the favorites of domestic flower growers. These include Achimenes Tropical Dusk, obtained in 2011, with medium-sized double pink-violet flowers and green erect shoots. The peculiarity of the plant is the combination of purple and pink-orange shades on the petals, creating a glowing effect and giving a special charm to Achimenes flowers.

Achimenes Nightfall

The double corollas of Achimenes flowers are distinguished by their thick cherry color, which becomes as rich and juicy as possible towards the center. Today, this variety of Achimenes can be called the darkest of the existing ones. The bush is small and compact. The leaves are dark with a purple hue on the veins and back.

Achimenes Lemon Orchard

Having created the ampelous variety of Achimenes Lemon Orchard in 2010, Serge Saliba invited flower growers to admire combinations of lemon yellow and pink shades. The medium-sized terry corollas are surprisingly colored along the edges of the petals in raspberry-pink tones, and bright carmine strokes sometimes appear on the petals. The greenery on the cascading shoots of this variety, according to the description of Achimenes, is distinguished by a silvery tint.

Achimenes Sun Wind

In 2010, Serge Saliba presented a beautiful ampelous plant with pale pink flowers, decorated with a bright fringed border and a yellow spot in the center of the corolla. Brown and orange spots are scattered from the center to the edges of the Achimenes petals, as in the photo. This is how the author of the variety represents the solar wind, because this is the name given to Achimenes Sun Wind, which enjoys great love among flower growers.

As a result of crossing the Elegance and Yellow Queen varieties in 2007, Serge Saliba managed to obtain a new semi-ampelous Achimenes Dale Martens. Plants with raspberry-pink simple flowers, the yellow center of which is decorated with a scattering of purple or crimson splashes, have become popular with a significant number of Achimenes adherents.

Achimenez Dale Martens Improved

In 2012, the breeder built on his success and introduced the Achimenes Dale Martens Improved with large semi-double or double fringed corollas to the flower growing community. The plants are erect and tall, so pinching the shoots is recommended for the Achimenes variety.

Achimenes Alter Ego

In 2012, breeder S. Saliba introduced the blue-violet Achimenes variety Alter Ego, which stands out among many others for its large double flowers. The color of the corollas may vary depending on the conditions created for the plant. The bush is large and requires pinching and support.

Achimenes ‘Abendrot’ (S.Saliba, 2012)

The flowers are large. The corolla is pale blue, with a lavender-violet tint. The throat has distinct purple and yellow spots. This differs from the similar variety ‘Cattleya’. In addition, the flowers are larger and bloom more profusely. The leaves are green, light pink underneath. The shoots are ampelous, the stems are burgundy. The rhizomes are ovoid, white or yellowish.

Spectacular double pink-peach flowers with orange shadows in the center, larger than average size, light green foliage, erect shoots. Rhizomes are oblong and white. The improved version differs from its predecessor in its compactness, doubleness and color stability. Pinching is recommended for shaping.

Varieties and varieties of Achimenes

The unique Achimenes flower, its varieties and types can be listed for a long time, but in addition to how to purchase a flower, you need to know how to care for them. There are many varieties of Achimenes, which served as the main material for breeding other interesting plant varieties. Thanks to the variety of Achimenes, flower growers can choose a more suitable option for growing, both outdoors and in apartment conditions.

Brief description of the plant

Achimenes blooms profusely for a long time. That's why flower growers love to plant it. Breeders have bred more than 50 species of plants.

Low-growing perennials have bushes with dark green, pubescent foliage. Its structure is thin, glossy and solid. Each leaf resembles nettle in appearance, as it has a jagged shape.

Achimenes has a straight, branched stem that begins to droop as it grows. Some varieties come with creeping shoots. The roots are covered with scales and are located on the surface. The plant blooms with elongated large bells of different shades. There are also varieties with other flower shapes.

Distinctive features of Achimenes

Achimenes come in different varieties, taking into account the following characteristics:

1. According to the type of stems, plants are erect and ampelous. Upright varieties have strong stems and grow upward. They are grown on the windowsill. Ampelous varieties have thin and quite flexible (going down) shoots. They are grown in the form of hanging flowerpots.
2. According to the size of the flowers, Achimenes can have small, medium and large flowers. The flowers of small varieties reach a diameter of only 3 centimeters, while those of large-flowered varieties reach more than 5 centimeters.
3. According to the type of flower, simple and double plants are distinguished. Double varieties sometimes bloom with simple, non-double flowers, but too abundantly;
4. According to the color scheme, Achimenes bloom in blue and bright red shades. There are flowers of purple, white, yellow. The very first variety, on the basis of which other types of Achimenes were bred, was a flower with purple flowers.

There are also achimenes (varieties) with round and long flowers, as well as bell-shaped flowers.

First known varieties

To develop new varieties of Achimenes, the following plant species were used:

• Achimenes lion's throat has an erect stem with medium-sized flowers. Flowers with a yellow corolla and red veins. The foliage is light green with white fibers;
• The hanging plant of the Chetto variety has small flowers of a blue or purple hue, the foliage is small and green. The bushes grow compactly, so they are grown at home;
• The ampelous sweet achimenes has medium-sized flowers and a delicate aroma. The plant blooms with white bells, the petals of which are slightly bent back. In the throat of each flower there are yellowish spots with brown dots. The foliage of the bush is green with silvery fibers;
• erect achimenes has numerous flowers of a bright, rich, reddish hue and dark, green, small leaves with a red tint;
• The yellow ampelous achimenes has curly shoots, small flowers of bright yellow or orange color with dark reddish dots. The foliage is large, light green, located on burgundy-colored stems;
• Bushes of the White Glory variety are medium in size and formed from erect shoots. They bloom with large, white flowers, the middle of which is painted in a bright yellow hue. As the air temperature in the room decreases, the flower petals become covered with a lilac border. The foliage of a plant of this variety is bright green, diamond-shaped, and small in size.

Based on the listed varieties, breeders have developed other varieties of Achimenes, which allow flower lovers to choose a more suitable option for home cultivation.

Other varieties

In addition to the varieties described above, the following plant varieties are distinguished among Achimenes:

The Abendrot variety blooms with large double yellow flowers with a lavender sheen. Tolerates direct sunlight and blooms profusely. The plant has ampelous shoots on which green leaves grow. Grown in the form of hanging flowerpots.

The Alaska Dream variety has erect branches with large white double flowers. There are also plants of this variety with lavender flowers and greenish leaves. It is grown only outside - in the garden.

The compact variety Amile Saliba blooms with large, simple, yellow flowers with orange petal edges. The plant has light green leaves.

The Anastasia variety has large flowers, a unique shape, light pink in color, and golden yellow in the center. Light green foliage grows on erect shoots.

The Argentina variety blooms with medium-sized flowers with whitish-blue corollas and a large golden-yellow spot with brown shading. Dark green leaves are located on erect shoots. The plant is compact, climbs independently with its shoots, and blooms profusely.

The Ballerina variety produces large red-brown flowers on straight shoots. In the center of each flower there is a yellow spot with a brown splash. The foliage is green on top and burgundy underneath.

The Bird of Paradise variety blooms with medium-sized raspberry-pink flowers that bloom on hanging shoots. Around the throat on each flower you can see yellow and lilac dots. The foliage is dark green on top and burgundy underneath.

The Firenze variety blooms with large lilac or pink flowers. On straight branches you can see dark green leaves, which, when exposed to too much light, take on a reddish-brown tint.

The Blue Bird variety produces blue-violet flowers with jagged, wavy petals on erect shoots. The foliage is dark green.

The Hybrid variety blooms with medium-sized bright red flowers that bloom on erect shoots. A red flower with a salmon-colored sheen and yellowish dots in the center. The dark green leaves have burgundy veins.

In addition to the varieties described above, there are other varieties of Achimenes. Thanks to this diversity, flower growers choose a more suitable plant for cultivation at home or in the garden, plant it and properly care for it.

Features of caring for varieties of Achimenes

In order for Achimenes of any variety or type to bloom profusely and for a long time, it is important to provide it with proper care. The plant also needs to be able to replant and feed correctly.

Lighting and growing temperature

The young plant can be grown on southern windowsills. You just need to cover it with a curtain from direct sunlight. When the plant begins to bloom, it is recommended to remove it from bright light.

It must be remembered that varieties with dark foliage prefer bright light more than varieties with variegated or light green coloring.

From spring to autumn, the plant needs to provide an air temperature of 22-24 degrees Celsius. In winter it should rest at a temperature of 15-18 degrees. It is recommended to lower the temperature gradually so that the roots are prepared for winter.

Selection of soil and features of its fertilization

It is recommended to plant any type of achimenes in nutritious soil with humus. For example, humus is mixed with turf soil, construction sand, and hydrogel, which allows moisture to better penetrate the rhizomes. Sometimes vermiculite, dry mullein or other useful substances are added to the soil.

Achimenes must be planted in a wide and not deep pot. The bottom of the container is lined with a drainage layer, for example, expanded clay. After placing the plant in a pot, it is important to cover it with a four-centimeter layer of soil.

The plant should be watered every day so that the soil does not dry out. Fertilizing should be applied to the soil once every 10 days during the period of plant growth and flowering. Achimenes is fertilized with a special complex fertilizer for indoor flowering flowerpots.

Features of transplantation

Achimenes are replanted annually in the spring, after wintering. After the end of the dormant period, you need to carefully remove the rhizomes from the pot, remove excess soil with your hands, leaving bare scaly tubers. Inspect the rhizomes carefully. Throw away the old ones and plant healthy nodules in prepared pots. If the plant's roots are dark brown, it means they will never recover.

If mold is found on the roots, it should be removed with a special fungicide. If the mold has penetrated deep into the plant, it is better to throw it away.

When replanting, it is important to remember that different varieties of Achimenes cannot be grown in the same pot. Since they may have different growth rates. Plants that are too fast may simply cause less active shoots to die.

When purchasing a flowering achimenes, replanting it is prohibited. When purchasing new shoots that have not yet been replanted after wintering, they can be replanted in fresh soil.

Features of watering and humidity

During the period of growth and flowering, Achimenes needs regular and abundant watering. It is recommended to water with soft and warm water. During the dormant period, the plant is not watered.

When watering, it is important to ensure that water does not get on the foliage and flowers. Therefore, it is applied strictly at the root.

It is important to create 60 percent humidity in the room. It is prohibited to spray the flower. If the air is too dry, the pot with the plant should be placed in a saucer with pebbles, which must be constantly moistened.

Carrying out pruning

In order for the bush to produce many shoots, they should be pinched when there are three leaves. After flowering, faded buds must be removed so that new ones can appear in their place.

Protection from diseases and pests

To prevent Achimenes from suffering from attacks by insects and other pests, it is recommended to regularly inspect it and, if necessary, provide timely assistance.

Any plant variety is susceptible to attack by aphids or mealybugs. To get rid of pests, it is recommended to treat Achimenes with Fitoverm or Aktara.

Winter care

After flowering ends, usually in winter, Achimenes enters a dormant period. In October you need to reduce watering. The plant will gradually prepare for winter. When it dries, its roots will take away all the juices. The ground dried part of the achimenes must be cut off. Place the pot with the root in a cool room with an air temperature of 18 degrees Celsius.

There is no need to water the root in winter. If the plant is very sorry, careful watering of the soil is allowed once every 30 days. It is important not to awaken the flower ahead of time by watering. If it so happens that Achimenes comes out of the dormant period earlier than the time allotted to it, place the pot in the light and increase the duration of daylight hours with special devices. Such actions will help the flowerpot develop normally even before the onset of spring. In the spring, replant into fresh soil and resume proper care.

Actions for abundant flowering

If the goal is to obtain abundantly flowering achimenes of any variety, it is recommended:

Systematically remove flower stalks with dried flowers.

Water the flower with water and mineral fertilizer once a week.

Protect the plant from direct sunlight.

Avoid dropping the air temperature below 15 degrees Celsius.

Spray the air in the room to ensure the desired percentage of humidity for the plant.

Today daylilies have entered a new stage of their development. To date, more than 70 thousand varieties have been registered, and new ones appear every year. New fancy shapes, new types of coloring, new fantasy designs on the petals, as if created by the brush of a talented artist. No other crop has such a variety of shapes, colors, flower sizes, and bush heights. How to understand all this diversity in order to make the right choice? The official classification of daylilies will help us with this.

The official world registrar of varieties is the American Hemerocallis Society (AHS), founded in 1946. This Society has developed a classification of daylily, which reflects all its capabilities as an ornamental garden plant.

Genetic ploidy

This characteristic tells us about the number of chromosomes in a daylily. Diploids (DIP) have 22 of them, tetraploids (TET) have 44. At first, all daylilies were diploids, but in the middle of the last century a way was found to convert diploid daylilies into tetraploid ones. Parts of the daylily were treated with colchicine, which blocks cell division (isolated from autumn crocus - Colchicum autumnale L.) and as a result of this conversion, daylilies with 44 chromosomes (tetraploids) were obtained. The first tetraploids were obtained in the early 50s of the twentieth century. It was then that a breakthrough occurred in the selection of daylilies. Due to the increase in the number of chromosomes, limitless possibilities for developing new varieties have opened up.

If some diploid variety has great potential for breeding work, then it is transferred to the tetraploid version. Conversion of daylilies is a complex and lengthy process, and therefore very expensive. A tetraploid version of the same variety will cost significantly more than its diploid version. Also, the high price for tetraploid versions is often due to increased demand among hybridizers who actively use this variety in their breeding work. For example, in 2014, the TET version of Rose F. Kennedy (Dorakian/Stamile) cost $2,500, and the DIP version of the same variety cost only $50. Tetraploid Time Stopper (Gossard/Stamile) costs $300, and diploid costs $65.

Sometimes nurseries sell both versions (TET and DIP) of the same variety. You most likely will not notice any special external differences between different versions of the same variety. Therefore, there is no point in overpaying.

Now let's figure out what is the fundamental difference between tetraploids and diploids.

TET flowers are much larger. They have a more intense color. The texture of the petals is denser. The plants themselves are more powerful. The peduncles are stronger and do not collapse under the weight of the flowers, which is important for huge spiders. However, DIPs also have a number of advantages. They have more refined flower shapes, and they set seeds much easier.

In fact, it is not so important for a daylily lover to know which daylily, DIP or TET, grows in his garden. However, this is very important information for those who want to try themselves as a hybridizer. Only varieties with the same set of chromosomes (same ploidy) can be crossed with each other, i.e. TET pollinates only TET, and DIP only pollinates DIP. Now, knowing all these subtleties, you can easily make the right choice.

Types of vegetation

There are three main types of daylily vegetation:

• sleeping (dormant)- in the fall, the leaves of such daylilies wither and die. In winter, the plant sleeps until spring. In spring, when the temperature rises, daylily begins to grow.
• evergreen- in warm regions remain green throughout the year. In cold winter conditions, the tops of the leaves freeze. During the thaw period they wake up and can begin to grow. In the absence of snow, subsequent frosts can destroy the awakened buds. But it's not all that scary. Usually in the spring, new, replacement buds appear on the root collar, and the daylily successfully grows and even blooms. True, there are also unpleasant situations when the root collar completely rots. Fortunately, this happens quite rarely.
• semi-evergreen- daylilies of this group occupy an intermediate position. They adapt well to the climate. In cold climates, the foliage partially dies off during the winter, leaving the tips of the leaves, but growth does not slow down completely. In warm climates, these daylilies will behave like evergreens.

To obtain a more complete picture of the behavior of daylilies in a given climate, American scientists identified three more intermediate types, which are not included in the official classification:

• Sleeping soundly (Hard Dormant)- lose foliage very early, after the first frost. In winter they sleep soundly. They begin to grow back very late. These varieties definitely need a period of rest. Otherwise, they will not be able to prepare for the flowering season - they weaken and stop blooming.
• semi-dormant- fall asleep very late at the beginning of winter, after a long period of cold weather. In winter they sleep. In spring, their foliage begins to grow very early.
• soft evergreens or soft evergreens (Soft Evergreens) - V In our climate, the leaves freeze completely below the soil level. All growth buds freeze. New replacement kidneys do not wake up. The daylily is dying.

It is sometimes difficult for a novice gardener to understand all these subtleties. In addition, the type of vegetation is not a reliable indicator of daylily frost resistance. In this situation, it is better to rely on the experience of domestic collectors who adapt new varieties of daylilies in their gardens and will always give truthful information about how this or that variety winters in the conditions of the Moscow region.

Flowering time, remnant

• EE - very early (early June)
• E - early (mid-June)
• EM - mid-early (late June - mid-July)
• M - medium (mid-July - early August - peak flowering)
• ML - mid-late (mid-August)
• L - late (end of August)
• VL are very late bloomers that bloom in mid-September. In the conditions of the Moscow region, with the onset of early cold autumn, these varieties do not have time to bloom.

Almost all modern tetraploids are remontant. This means that the hybrid is genetically predisposed to re-bloom under favorable conditions. This is one of the important characteristics of the variety. After the main flowering and a short period of rest (usually 2-3 weeks) The daylily again throws out a flower arrow. However, re-blooming in the Moscow region can only be counted on in early spring, hot summer and very warm autumn. Repeated flowering is also influenced by factors such as planting location (sun, shade), soil nutrition, amount of precipitation, amount of sunlight, seed setting, etc. There are very few varieties that consistently produce repeat flowering in the Moscow region. However, there are varieties with such characteristics as "Instant rebloom" (instant re-blooming). This means that new flower stalks grow immediately, following the first ones, nonstop. Sometimes 2-3 peduncles grow from one fan. Such varieties are likely to have time to re-bloom in the Moscow region. The photo shows an example of instant re-blooming.

Flowering type

As you know, a daylily flower lives only one day, but the opening of the flower can occur at different times of the day. Therefore, three types of flowering were distinguished:

• day type of flowering (Diurnal)- the flower opens in the morning and fades by the evening of the same day.
• night type of flowering (Nocturnal)- the flower opens in the afternoon or evening, remains open all night, and fades the next morning or afternoon.
• long-flowering (Extendedflowering) - extended type of flowering, when the flower remains open for at least 16 hours, regardless of the time of day. At the same time, such flowers can open both during the day and at night. Today there are few such varieties. Breeders are working in this direction, working mainly with night-opening varieties. They try to ensure that the flower remains open throughout the next day.

Daylily breeders, when describing varieties whose flowers are fully open early in the morning, use the term Early Morning Opener (EMO). This is a very valuable quality of the variety. Such varieties, even with heavily corrugated petals, open well after cool nights. Nocturnal night daylilies should not be confused with EMO varieties. Night varieties open the night before and stay open all night.

Smell

Many flowers have a scent. And here the daylilies did not let us down. The flowers of some of them are odorless. Many have a slight odor. But there are also those that can fill the garden with a charming aroma.

All varieties of daylilies are divided into:

• aromatic (Fragrant)
• very fragrant (Very Fragrant)
• odorless.

Flower size

Daylily cultivars have a wide range of flower sizes. Three groups are identified:

• miniature- flower diameter is less than 3 inches in diameter (up to 7.5 cm). The height of the peduncles can be different - low, medium or high. The Donn Fischer Memorial Award (DFM) is awarded annually.
• small-flowered (Small)- flower diameter from 3 inches to 4.5 inches (7.5 to 11.5 cm). The height of the peduncles can also vary. The Annie T. Giles Award (ATG) is awarded annually.
• large-flowered (Large)- flower diameter from 4.5 inches (from 11.5 cm).
• Another group of daylilies has been allocated for judging at AHS shows Extra Large- for varieties registered with a flower size of 7 inches or more (17.8 cm), but which are not registered in the spiders and UFo categories. Since 2005, the “Extra Large Diameter Award (ELDA)” has been awarded in this category.

Peduncle height, peduncle branching

Flower growers love daylilies not only for their unpretentiousness. Another undeniable advantage when using daylilies in garden design is the different height of the flower stalks. Here you can find real dwarfs for a rock garden or alpine slide, as well as majestic giants for the background of a flower garden. Daylilies are divided into four groups according to the height of their peduncles:

• dwarfs (Dware)- height of peduncles up to 12 inches (30 cm)
• low- peduncle height from 12 to 24 inches (30-60 cm)
• medium-sized (Medium)- peduncle height from 24 to 36 inches (60-90 cm)
• high (Tall)- peduncle height 36 inches (90 cm) and above.

Currently, just over 40 varieties are registered with a height of 68 inches (173 cm). Among them are varieties with a height of more than 74 inches (188 cm). These varieties of daylilies look great in solitary plantings on the lawn.

The relationship between the height of the peduncle and the size of the flower can be very different. There may be large flowers on a low peduncle, and small flowers on a high one.

When registering daylily varieties, the branching of peduncles must be indicated - the number of lateral branches, each of which contains a group of buds. Also at the top of the peduncle there may be a branching in the form of the Latin letter V. The higher the branching of the peduncles, the better.

On well-branched peduncles, several flowers can open simultaneously, and they will not interfere with each other. In such daylilies, the total number of buds on one peduncle can reach 30-50, so flowering will be abundant and long. For example, the variety Heavenly Angel Ice (Gossard, 2004) has 5-position branching of peduncles and up to 30 buds on each. By the way, in 2013 this variety received the highest award in the “world of daylilies” - the Stout Silver Medal.

Flower color

All kinds of shades and color combinations make daylily very attractive for our climate, where there is such a lack of bright colors. Today there are no daylilies of only pure white and pure blue colors, although American breeders are quite successfully moving in this direction. Almost white varieties are becoming whiter every year, and there are already plenty of varieties with blue and blue eyes. They appear especially clearly in cool and cloudy weather.

Primary colors of daylilies:

• yellow- all shades from pale lemon, through bright yellow and gold to orange.
• red (Red) - various shades of scarlet, carmine, tomato red, dark burgundy, wine red and black-red.
• pink (Pink) - from pale pink through deep pink to rose-red.
• violet (Purple) - from pale lavender and lilac to dark grape or purple.
• melon or creamy pink (MelonorCream- Pinkdotfrom) - from pale cream shades to dark melon. Browns, apricots and peach colors are considered variations of pink plus yellow. White daylilies can come in shades of yellow, pink, lavender or melon.

The color of a daylily flower can be:

• single color / plain (Self)- petals and sepals are the same color, but the stamens and throat may be a different color.
• multicolor / polychrome (Polychrome)- a mixture of three or more colors, for example, yellow, melon, pink and lavender, without a clear rim above the throat. The stamens and throat may be a different color.
• two-color (Bicolor)- inner and outer petals of different colors (dark top, light bottom). And reverse bicolor.
• two-ton (Bitone)- outer and inner petals of different shades of the same base color (top - darker shade, bottom - lighter). And Reverse Bitone.

The petals of many modern hybrids shine and sparkle in the sun. This effect is called "sputtering". Distinguish diamond dusting (Diamond Dusting), gold dusting (Gold Dusting), and silver dusting (Silver Dusting).

Flower shape

In terms of diversity of flower shapes, daylilies are unlikely to have equals among other ornamental crops in our climate zone. Based on the structure of the daylily flower, for the purposes of registration and exhibitions, the following groups are officially distinguished: simple (Single), double (DOUBLE), arachnid (SPIDER), unusually shaped (UFo), polymers (POLYMEROUS) and multiform (MULTIFORM).

1 group -Simple single flower (Single).

It has three petals, three sepals, six stamens and one pistil. In recent years, due to abnormally hot weather, some daylilies are producing small number of flowers with more petals than usual. But this is just a manifestation of the tendency for typical daylilies to have many petals.

The shape of a simple flower can be:

• round (Circular). When looking at the flower from the front, it appears round. The segments are short, wide and usually overlap, giving the appearance of a circle.
• flat When viewed in profile, the flowers appear completely flat, like a saucer, except for the concave throat.
• informal (Informal). The flower segments do not have a specific shape. The arrangement of segments may be irregular, with segments widely spaced or hanging loosely.
• Recurved. The flower segments are directed forward, and the tips are curved back or tucked.
• star-shaped/star-shaped (Star). The flower segments are long and straight. There is space between the segments and the shape of the flower is like a star.
• triangular. The flower segments form a triangle. The petals are directed forward, the tips of the sepals are curved back. The inner segments of the flower form a triangle.
• tubular / ruper / lily (Trumpet). When viewed in profile, the flower's shape resembles that of a tubular lily. The segments rise upward from the throat with a slight curve.

Group 2 - Terry flower (Double).

Doubleness is a significant increase in the number of petals in a flower. Most often this occurs due to the degeneration of stamens into petals.

There are two types of terry:

• Peony Type Double - when the stamens degenerate into additional petals (petaloids).
• flower V flower (Hose-in-hose double) . Typically, a daylily flower consists of two levels of petals. This type of doubleness suggests that the flower consists of more than two levels of petals.

Among the terry varieties there are miniature, small-flowered and large-flowered varieties.

When registering, the hybridizer indicates the percentage of terry. If a variety is registered as 80% double, it means that 8 out of 10 flowers will be double. However, in our climate, for some varieties the declared percentage of terry can vary significantly. This is influenced by cool weather, the age of the bush and other factors. Within this group, the Ida Munson Award (IM) is awarded annually.

Group 3 Unusual Form - UFO).

This group includes daylilies with an unusual and exotic flower shape. To be classified in this class, it is enough for a variety to have three petals of an unusual shape. The Lambert/Webster Award (LWA) is awarded annually. When registering varieties of unusual shape, the type of flower must be indicated. Based on the shape of the petals and sepals, three types of flowers are distinguished:

1 type - C rispate (curly, kinky, curled, crispy) - a fairly large group in terms of assortment. It is divided into three subtypes (when registering a variety, the subtype is not always indicated):

• pinched crispate - pinched / squeezed / clamped. The petals are pinched at the tips. Variety: Coit Tower (P.Stamile - G. Pierce, 2010)

• twisted crispate - twisted . ALL petals are twisted along their length like a spiral, corkscrew, skewer. The largest subgroup. Variety Apache Beacon (N. Roberts, 2005)
• quilled crispate - tubular/rolled. As a rule, the outer petals are rolled along their entire length into a tube. Quite a rare form. Variety Dooty Owl (Roberts, 2006)

Type 2 - C ascade (cascade, twisted) - narrow cascading petals have a pronounced twist, reminiscent of wood shavings. Most varieties of this group are characterized by large and sometimes simply gigantic flowers, tall peduncles and bright tropical colors. Variety: Purple Tarantula (Gossard, 2011)

Type 3 - S patulate (spatulate/spatulate/spatula) - narrow internal petals widen significantly at the ends. The tip of the petals is wide and rounded, resembling a spatula. This group is small. Variety: Ruby Spider (Stamile, 1991).

Quite often there are varieties of daylilies that combine various combinations of petal and sepal shapes - UFo Crispate-Cascade-Spatulate. Variety Heavenly Curls (Gossard, 2000)

4 group- Spider.

This group of daylilies includes varieties with narrow, long petals that do not overlap each other when emerging from the neck. The ratio of the length of the petal to its width should be 4:1 or higher. Until 2003 there was a division into Spider Variant with a ratio of petal length to its width from 4:1 to 4.99:1 and actually spiders with a ratio of 5:1 and higher. They are called "classic spider". Currently, all narrow-petalled cultivars with a petal length-to-width ratio of 4:1 or more form a single group, Spiders. To measure, select the longest of the blossomed petals and straighten it in length and width. The narrower the width of the petal, the higher the spider is rated. The Harris Olson Spider Award (HOSA) is awarded annually.

Quite often the name of varieties contains the word spider, but this does not mean that this variety belongs to the spider group. For example, the popular variety "Ruby Spider" belongs to the UFo group.

5 group- Polymers/Polymerous

Multi-petalled varieties (not to be confused with terry ones). In 1995, when this group was introduced into the AHS classification, it was called "polytepals". This term was then recognized as botanically incorrect, and in 2008 this group of daylilies became known as Polymerous.

A typical daylily flower has three sepals, three petals, six stamens and one pistil with three chambers. A polymer such as 4x4 will have 4 sepals, 4 petals, 8 stamens and 1 pistil with four chambers.

It is believed that if a variety exhibits these characteristics in at least 50% of flowering, then such a daylily is a true polymer. When registering polymers, the hybridizer indicates the percentage of multilobes. It may vary depending on climatic conditions.

The difference between polymers and terry varieties:

• in polymers, additional petals and additional sepals are evenly distributed in the corresponding layer. In double varieties, additional petals are formed due to the degeneration of the stamens, or additional petals are located between the normal petals.
• polymers always have additional stamens, and their number corresponds to the total number of petals and sepals. In addition, the number of chambers in the pestle increases proportionally.

The multi-petal gene is extremely dominant.

6 group- Multiforms.

Undoubtedly, this group is the most exotic and exclusive. More recently, classifiers had to add a new group for varieties that do not fit into any of the previous groups, since they combine the characteristics of two or more common groups at once. For example:

• terry spiders,
• terry unusual shape (UFo),
• polymer spider,
• polymer UFo,
• UFo or spiders, both terry and polymer.

There is no judging for this group at exhibitions.

The group is small. Over the past 15 years, only 87 varieties of terry unusual shapes (UFo) and 5 terry spiders have been registered. Another 100% terry spider Ashee Dashee was registered by Diana Taylor in 2006 in the group of terry varieties.

A pioneer on this path was Jan Joiner. Having crossed her seedlings, in 1999 she registered the Fluttering Beauty variety, which is both 98% double and UFo Crispate. Until now, this variety is the No. 1 parent for producing terry UFo.

When registering multiforms, the hybridizer indicates the percentage of terry and multi-petalled.

In the photograph of the James Gossard variety from the last years of introduction:

• Dr Doom(2013) terry spider UFo cascade
• PowerpuffGirls(2013) terry UFo cascade
• DrOctopus(2014) - terry spider UFo cascade

I hope that now it will be easier for you to navigate such a diverse world of daylilies.

Tetraploid ANIMAL EMBRYOLOGY

TETRAPLOID – a polyploid containing four haploid sets of chromosomes.

General embryology: Terminological dictionary - Stavropol. O.V. Dilekova, T.I. Lapina. 2010 .

See what “tetraploid” is in other dictionaries:

tetraploid- tetraploid... Spelling dictionary-reference book

Cultivated plants- Cultivated plants on the globe are mainly angiosperms (flowering) plants. They have undergone diverse genetic, physiological and biochemical evolution. Many organic compounds are characteristic... ... Biological encyclopedia

pharmaceutical camomile- General view of a group of flowering plants... Wikipedia

Polyploidy- (from the Greek polýploos multipath, here multiple and éidos species) a multiple increase in the number of chromosomes (See Chromosomes) in plant or animal cells. P. is widespread in the plant world. It is rare among dioecious animals...

Wheat- (Triticum) is a genus of herbaceous plants of the grass family (See Cereals). Unites over 20 wild and cultivated species belonging to 3 series: diploid, tetraploid, hexaploid, differing in the number of chromosomes in somatic... ... Great Soviet Encyclopedia

Durum wheat- (Triticum durum) a type of wheat (See Wheat) with a non-fragile, usually spinous, dense ear and bare, glassy grain at the break of various colors. The species is tetraploid: it contains 28 chromosomes in somatic cells. Steppe drought-resistant... ... Great Soviet Encyclopedia

- (Both mori), butterfly of the family. true silkworms (Bombycidae). Wingspan 40-60 mm, whitish. The body is massive. The number of generations per year distinguishes between monovoltine (one), bivoltine (two) and multivoltine (many) breeds of T. sh. Wintering... ... Biological encyclopedic dictionary

Chromosomes are carriers of genes that contain hereditary information. Mature germ cells (sperm and eggs) contain a single or so-called haploid set of chromosomes. It constitutes half of the double (diploid) set characteristic of the chromosomes of all other (somatic) cells of the body. In a diploid set, each chromosome is represented by a pair, one of which is maternal and the other is paternal. I think that everyone remembers from school that the normal human chromosome set consists of one pair of sex chromosomes and 22 pairs of autosomes, i.e. 46 chromosomes. However, sometimes violations occur. This is called polyploidy, i.e. an increase in the number of chromosome sets in one cell (derived from the Greek words polyploos - multiple and eidos - species). When human cells have 69 chromosomes, it is called triploidy(23 chromosomes * 3), and if 92, then tetraploidy(23 chromosomes *4).

Triploidy is one of the most common spontaneous chromosomal anomalies during human embryogenesis. In humans, the vast majority of triploid embryos die at the beginning of the second month of intrauterine development (before the 8th week of pregnancy). Approximately 22.6% of all spontaneous miscarriages are due to polyploidy. Only about 1% of fetuses develop before the sixth to seventh month of development. And an extremely rare case is the birth of a living child with triploidy. However, just a few hours after birth, such children die.

Why does the anomaly appear?

Only two ways can lead to the appearance of triploidy:

• During fertilization, not one sperm penetrates into the egg, as it should be, but two. Each sperm carries a single set of chromosomes (23 chromosomes) and the egg also has 23 chromosomes. As a result, there will be 69 chromosomes in the cell nucleus
• The sperm penetrates the egg, which itself has 46 chromosomes - a diploid set. Again this results in 69 chromosomes

A triploid set of chromosomes leads to numerous developmental defects:

• fusion of fingers and toes
• cleft palate
• developmental disorders of the nervous, genitourinary systems, etc.

However, it is known that even significant developmental anomalies of a different nature do not always lead to death; in some cases, children live for weeks, months and even years. Triploidy is completely incompatible with the life of a child. Why? Scientists have yet to answer this question.

I would like to note that there is no predisposition to this anomaly in humans. Currently, not a single case of re-appearance of a child with this pathology in the same family has been described in the literature. Based on this, we can conclude that the risk of recurrence of triploidy in a family is virtually zero.

Tetraploidy, that is, two diploid (92 chromosomes) sets of chromosomes are extremely rare in cells - three times less common compared to triploidy. Of all embryos with existing chromosomal abnormalities, tetraploidy is diagnosed in no more than 5-6%.

This chromosomal abnormality can also occur in various ways:

• during fertilization of a diploid (46) egg by a diploid (46) sperm
• when a haploid (23) egg is fertilized by three haploid sperm
• A tetraploid (92) embryo will arise if a normal zygote (the cell resulting from the fusion) divides into two normal cells (46), but then these cells merge again into one

The development of tetraploids in humans, as well as triploids, is accompanied by malformations of many organs. Very rarely such embryos survive to the fertile period. Most often, death occurs during the first two months of embryogenesis. Currently, only five cases of live births of children with tetraploidy are described in the literature. All children had a wide variety of malformations of the body, their life span did not exceed several months.

Triploidy is currently screened for prenatally. You can read more about prenatal screening .