What are Diploids?
Before we can tell you anything about Diploids, let's review a little Biology 101 (Or, maybe 301). Genetics is a somewhat advanced topic for 101. Begin with a single cell (plant or animal). Within that cell resides the blueprint for life or deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). DNA is found chiefly in the nucleus of cells and is responsible for the transmitting the characteristics of cells such a making a leaf, root or flower. In the nucleus of cells are the structures called chromosomes. Each characteristic represents part of a chromosome (gene). Genes are composed of DNA and RNA (ribonucleic acid) which translates the DNA code so the correct structure is created.
A DNA chain contains links called nucleotides. Each nucleotide has three parts: a sugar unit, a phosphate unite, and a base. Lots of these link together to form a DNA chain. When a cell reproduces, these chains split apart and form a complete new unit. We won't go into the way the chromosome link with the complements, because that is beyond the scope of this article.
The basic complement is known as the haploid number of chromosomes. Gametes (sex cells) of each sex carry the haploid number of chromosomes for the Daylily. When two gametes (male and female) combine to form the "baby plant" (zygote) the baby acquires the diploid number, twice the haploid number. Most plants are diploids. This means that they have chromosomes from both parents. The diploid has has 22 chromosomes (two sets).
What are Tetraploids?
Are you beginning to get the picture? Tetra means four so they have doubled their chromosomes. Well, how did they do this? Hybridizers, using a substance called colchicine converted some diploids into tetraploids. They tried methods which varied from treatment of the Daylily crown, injection with a hypodermic needle or soaking newly germinated seeds soaked in colchicine. Needless to say many plants died in the search for perfection!
So we have more chromosomes. What does that mean as far as the type of plant that we can expect. When they first began the experiments, the plants were disappointing. As the methods for creating tetraploids were improved, so were the plants. Now there is evidence that we can expect new colors, form, edging, ruffling, texture, eyes (light and dark) and patterns.