Originally Posted by yerbero1 of Canna Cabana

Cubing

In breeding terms, cubing consists of breeding for specific traits in a special plant by backcrossing with its progeny. In this process, one identifies with traits desired. Then, one continually backcrosses the progeny of males back to the clone mother. In theory, with each backcross to the mother plant, the breeder will get seeds that are closer to the mother plant. Although, one will never obtain seeds that are identical to the plant mother. The cubing process works as follows:

1. First, you need to identify the plant mother you are trying to hone in on traits desired and keep her in vegetative state. Take cuts of the clone mother and your ready for breeding;
2. First Backcross: a desired option would be to breed the mother plant to the brothers, father, or children. You grow the seeds and collect the pollen to pollinate the identified mother clones;
3. Second Backcross: Take pollen obtained from step 2 and pollinate the mother clones;
4. Third Backcross; Take pollen obtained in step 3 and pollinate the mother clones;
5. One can continue this process until satisfied with the offspring obtained from the seeds made.

The cubing process was not as easy as one thinks. Existentialists would argue that one can not completely narrow down the possibilities in a plant to mathematical terms. Hence, in agreement, the genetic and environmental diversity of a seed carries a multitude of endless possibilities. Nevertheless, cubing consists of continually backcrossing the siblings to the identified mother in search of fixed traits. With each backcross, each batch of seeds produced will produce specimens with traits closer to the identified mother. In the end, similar to a human finger print, the cubing method will not capture the absolute genetic diversity of the identified mother. Preservationists would argue that a weakness of this method was that by breeding for specific traits, a multitude of other traits could be breed out of a particular specimen. However, a breeder can not discount the benefits of the cubing method as another important tool for plant breeders who are looking to breed for specific traits of a particular plant.


Other Methods

There are many methods that one could utilize in plant breeding. "No breeder (Burbank, p. 24) has a patent on his methods." Nevertheless, the more you know about a plant, the better you will be prepared to reach your intended outcome in making seeds. Some breeders emphasize the utilization of specific males in breeding. On the other hand, other breeders focus on the females in breeding. Other's focus on late flowering males and females for breeding and so forth. The creation of feminized seeds has gained popularity as well. In the end, the search is for basic scientific tools that lead to reaching your intended goals in making seeds.

Eclectic Approach

Plant engineering is not completely understood. There continues to be a well-spring of unseen factors and endless possibilities to plant breeding. Thus, what might work for one type of seed might not work for the other? For example, some specimens might be more adaptable toward the cubing or crossing to others specimens while others might not. Some indicas might perform better in climates with specific soils and ingredients, and the same soils and ingredients might work the opposite for other specimens. Some plants might be more suitable for indoors while others not. Hence, the breeder must first make an effort to learn and understand a particular specimen as compared to hundreds of specimens. Some plants perform better in crosses while others don't. Each breeding method has its strengths and weaknesses. Hence, an eclectic approach is more applicable to plant breeding. One must keep an open mind and observe what the plants are saying.

Conclusion

In summary, by adhering to simple yet fundamental principles in plant breeding will assist the breeder in meeting intended goals. The future of the seed will become more and more dependent on the common breeder to breed their own seed. Henceforth, the breeder will need to educate themselves on the holistic components to plant breeding. The intelligent breeder will open doors of infinite potential of the seed. Once the key to her mysteries are unlocked will allow the seed to express her true beauty; the future of the seed (she) depends on you.