Opportunities Abound for Plant Breeders in 2022

SolarScape Impatiens (PanAmerican Seed) plant breeders

Impatiens from PanAmerican Seed can be placed in sun or shade garden locations, and is a top performer for both gardeners and profes-sional landscapers. Photo: PanAmerican Seed

It’s not just growers who have a chance to turn the most recent wave of gardeners into life-long plant lovers. The breeders that produce these plants also play a vital role.

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We reached out to some of these breeders to learn more about the biggest factors that will likely affect plant development in 2022, and what they’re most excited about.

Supporting the End User

Jason Jandrew, Director of Plant Breeding at PanAmerican Seed, says the company tends to not shift priorities year to year, as most of its products take five to seven years to create. In addition, PanAmerican Seed has a global reach, so there are always different factors affecting different regions.

Jandrew does point out some key areas of focus impacting its breeding direction:

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  • Consumer success: “This is always important to our breeders, but with so many new gardeners created during the pandemic, we need to get plants into their hands that are easy for beginners, and make them feel successful, proud and eager to plant more.”
  • Sustainability: “As we look into the future of our industry, we also need to see the needs of our planet and communities. Plants that require less chemical usage, less heat, water, fertilizers, and plastics will be the plants end users – and growers – will want to buy and support.”
  • Greenhouse profitability: “Along with sustainability, rising energy costs (particularly in Europe right now) elevate the need to breed for products that can be produced cost-effectively, such as lower input needs, reduced temperature requirements, and lower light levels. Our breeders are always striving for increased seed quality and producibility through both genetics and by partnering with our production facilities to make sure we can reliably supply the high-quality seed our customers depend upon.”
  • Outdoors moving indoors: “The growth of cut flowers and potted plants continues to be an increasing market of the future and on our radar.”
  • Disease resistance: “This is a win all the way around. It makes plants easier and less expensive to produce (less chemicals needed) and it also brings bullet-proof plants to the end-user. When we talk about solutions-oriented products, disease resistance is high on that list.”
  • Unique, flavorful home garden vegetables and herbs: “Again, as more and more people are gardening these days, it’s important for them to have exciting, fun options in the vegetable category. We’re looking for something different (and tastier) than what shoppers could just buy at the grocery store.”

Jandrew says PanAmerican Seed is gearing up for a phenomenal introduction year, starting with California Spring Trials in 2022.

“Our new ‘SolarScape’ Interspecific Impatiens is a veg-to-seed option that gives growers a less expensive and easier-to-automate choice that fulfills an incredibly important and versatile class,” Jandrew says. “SolarScape Impatiens can be placed in sun or shade garden locations, and is a top performer for both gardeners and professional landscapers. It’s definitely one to look into as a game-changing new product.”

First Editions Little Hottie Hydrangea

‘Little Hottie’ hydrangea from Bailey has dense branching and relatively short internodes, which results in a very compact plant. Photo: Bailey

Low Maintenance Will be Key

According to Alec Charais, Chief Marketing & Product Development Officer at Bailey, many of the factors that have contributed to the recent plant boom impact how the company thinks about woody plant breeding.

“From a production standpoint, labor challenges faced by the grower mean that it is our responsibility as a breeding company to develop genetics with as few touch points as possible in production,” Charais says. “For example, we recently introduced ‘Little Hottie’ hydrangea not only because of how exceptional it performed in in-ground trials across the country, but also due to its vigor that allows the grower to produce a finished crop without pruning.”

David Roberts, General Manager and Head Breeder at Bailey Innovations, says the two biggest considerations moving into 2022 are low-maintenance plants to help with the labor situation, and being responsible stewards of the environment.

“People are becoming more aware of how their home gardens affect their native environments,” Roberts says. “Consumers are shying away from cultivars that pose a weedy or invasive risk. As a result, breeding for sterility or reduced fertility, breeding drought-tolerant plants, and pollinators have become important targets.”

Looking ahead, Charais says it’s an exciting time for the industry with new consumers entering our category.

“There are so many great plants coming into the marketplace today. Stronger re-bloom, more color options, better habit, and overall performance mean greater consumer success, and that is what it’s all about,” Charais says. “Keeping our environment in mind with plants that provide food sources for pollinators, offer privacy for those who moved to work from home, and keep our planet cool in the face of global warming are all overarching goals not only for 2022, but well into the future.”

Roberts is most proud of the market potential for ‘Little Hottie.’

“It has incredibly dense branching and relatively short internodes, which results in a very compact plant with incredible flower power,” Roberts says. “Even though we’re still gathering data, we believe Little Hottie will flower in warm environments with relatively few chill hours, meaning you can enjoy a summer full of beautiful blooms whether you’re growing this remarkable plant in the North or the South.”

Two More Weigh In

Supply chain issues mean that even if most growers have had their 2022 orders in for a while now, they may be looking to invest in and promote newer items, such as those that multiply quickly and finish fast, according to the team at Terra Nova Nurseries. The company is looking forward to celebrating its 30th anniversary in October 2022, and is excited to showcase the many improvements in common garden varieties it has made along the way.

Meanwhile, Lisa Heredia, Marketing and Key Accounts for North America at Danziger, says the company is always working on ways to make crops easy to produce with the least amount of input for the growers.

“Controlled growth for low to no plant growth regulator use and enhanced disease resistance as well as improved heat tolerance are always top on our list of breeding goals,” Heredia says. “Novelties and improvements to existing crops are also important. Growers are looking for improvements to make production as successful as possible, and consumers are always drawn to these novelties.”

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