Hybridizer Introduction by Pete McLaughlin

I’m Pete McLaughlin from Waynesburg, Ohio and I’m 38 years old. My interests started with my first African violet when I was 14. I obtained my first Schlumbergera x buckleyi and Hoya carnosa at age 17. By the time I was 30, I was growing hybrid S. truncata. My first Easter cacti (Rhipsalidopsis) came into my possession at age 33. By the time I was 35, I was also collecting exotic Hoyas (facilitated by the advent of the plant pages on Facebook). I made my first hybridization with Schlumbergera in 2018 and harvested my first seed pod in 2019.

My hybridization goals for Schlumbergera are:

1. Selecting for vigorous root growth, followed by vigorous vegetative growth;
2. Increased genetic resistance to pathogens;
3. Decreased sensitivity to environmental changes (i.e. humidity, moves of location, orientation to light) and decreased tendency of phylloclade and bud abscission;
4. Continued selection for upright growth;
5. Continue genetic selection for attractive, thick phylloclades;
6. Selection for larger flowers and more attractive form (i.e. less petal reflex, flat faced form, long tube, long wide petals);
7. Selection for floriferousness and longer lasting blossoms;
8. Continued diversification of genetics via interspecific and intergeneric hybridization.

The picture is showing two year old seedlings of S. x buckley x S. ‘Polka Dancer’.