Great year for new seedlings! -pics-

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HostaDesigner
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Joined: May 15, 2006 3:29 pm
Location: Niles, MI

Great year for new seedlings! -pics-

Post by HostaDesigner »

This is one of the best years I've had for new seedlings! Interesting plants, from interesting parents. Plus, they're really growing GREAT this year. These pics are after a hard cull with over 50-60% of them picked out.

My setup:
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Streaked form of 'Mardi Gras' seedlings:
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('Dorothy Benedict' X 'Elatior') x OP seedlings
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Same flat, with a 'Fragrant Blue' hybrid's seedlings in back:
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Actually a strong-growing streaked seedling from 'Sweet Standard'
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'High Kicker' seedlings with one HUGE one rising above the rest:
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Trudy
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Joined: Oct 22, 2001 8:00 pm

Post by Trudy »

Very good looking seedlings!

Love the Streaked form of 'Mardi Gras' seedlings. Do you have the parent plants, what is the other parent or were they OP.

Thanks for sharing

Looking forward to seeing more photos as your seedlings mature.
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leafmould
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Post by leafmould »

I'm giving you a TEN :cool:
Great looking hybrids ! you have some real winners there 8-)
masterfull photography too :o
grat work HD :wink:
Mr. Leafmould
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thy
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Location: Denmark - 7B/8A Lat. 55,23

Post by thy »

Great setup
Geat pics
Cute babies
How old are they :-?
Against stupidity the gods themselves struggle in vain.
E-mail for pics hostapics@gmail.com
eastwood2007
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Post by eastwood2007 »

Beautiful!!!!!!!!! :D I especially like the Dorothy Benedict pic. I love the different variations you got there. Awesome! I, too, like Pia, would like to know how old they are?
Charla
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thehostagourmet
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Location: Western NY, Zone 5

Seedlings

Post by thehostagourmet »

They look great!

George
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caliloo
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Post by caliloo »

Fantastic babies!

You have done really well - I especially like the Mardi Gras ones too.

Alexa
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wzbt03
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Seedlings

Post by wzbt03 »

Some terrific looking seedlings.

One question - how long do you leave the domes on? I take mine off at the two leaf stage and wanted to hear what worked best for you as yours look terrific.
Justaysam
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Post by Justaysam »

They look great, and same question, how long are you keeping the domes on? 24/7? Also when do you plan on planting them up into larger pots? All that moisture seems to be doing them lots of good, LOL. All I would get is mold and moss. Also are you feeding them, what and how often? You really are doing a great job there, they look so clean and healthy.
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HostaDesigner
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Location: Niles, MI

Post by HostaDesigner »

Thanks for the comments! In a nutshell, here's my process:

I start them in mid-late December. I start them under 3" domes when the plants are small with 24hr lights until they germinate. Basically, I just use the lights for heat, initially. After they are up, I reduce the lights to 18hrs/day. As soon as they germinate, I begin feeding them with Miracle Grow (1 tbs/gal) every time I water them. They only need watering every 3-4 weeks. Once they're too big for the 3" domes, I put the 6" domes on (pictured). I never remove the domes.

Sure, I get mold. I get some liverwort. I get some algae and moss, but nothing affects the seedlings. They seem to love it.

I used to cull them in early March and replant individual seedlings in 48-cell flats. But, I found it worked better if I just snipped out the weak ones and let the good ones grow without disturbing them. About a week before I put them outside in late May, I remove the covers to let them harden a bit.

As for these crosses, I've been lazy. These are all open pollinated. Once I get a good, solid selection of pollen/pod parents, I'll get back into manual crosses. :D
eastwood2007
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Post by eastwood2007 »

Sure seems to be workin' for ya! Thanks for sharing!
Charla
Latitude 38.57N; Longitude -94.89W (Elev. 886 ft.)
Linda P
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Location: N W Illinois, zone 5

Post by Linda P »

Lookin' good. I can't believe that you got seeds on a Sweet Standard, let alone a strong seedling. I don't think I've ever seen any seedpods on mine.
Linda P
And time remembered is grief forgotten,
And frosts are slain and flowers begotten.....
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Latitude: 41° 51' 12.1572"


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renaldo75
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Post by renaldo75 »

They all look great!! :P Thanks for explaining your growing set-up/process.
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Latitude: 40° 59' 17.6676"; Longitude: -94° 44' 28.014"
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HostaDesigner
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Post by HostaDesigner »

Linda P wrote:Lookin' good. I can't believe that you got seeds on a Sweet Standard, let alone a strong seedling. I don't think I've ever seen any seedpods on mine.
Linda P
Tell me about it. It only took 6 years. Yes... 6 years. This year is the 7th. I got one last year, but it isn't growing nearly as strong as this one. :roll: Apparently, I'm too patient.
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