How are plant hybrids made?

Question

Why im asking this is I was look at pitcher plants when some said hybid. And then i asked this question.

Is the pollination crossed? And if so how, and how easy.

Answer 1

It all depends on the genetics. Species are formed when two populations of the same species begin to diverge. They are considered seperate (depending on who you ask) when they can't interbreed anymore. After they've started diverging, but before they can't interbreed, you can re-breed them, or hybridize. The result is a mix between the two. As far as I know you can hybridize any two plants that are closely enough related to accept each other's pollen. Natural hybrids are often labeled as "varieties" or "forms/formas" in addition to species. Artificial hybrids are known as "cultivars" (cultivated varieties).

To answer your question directly - yes, hybrids are made by cross-fertilization. How easy depends on the plants and their relative genetic distance, and sometimes just plain old luck.