Origin documents George Gesser's cultivation of streptocarpus hybrids. Since 1995, Gessert has raised and documented about 1,500 different streptocarpus plants. Two generations were displayed. He also breeds California poppies, corn poppies, bearded irises and Pacific coast native irises. Once his garden was filled with plants, he turned his attention to houseplants with a long bloom season and faster generations. Gessert began his career as a painter and printmaker, but became interested in hybridizing plants and has been focused on genetics in his art since 1985. Through this work he draws attention to the choices he makes through selection that often lead to more wonderful organisms. He believes that a deeper understanding of genetics also increases our respect for other life forms and our appreciation of evolution.