Great year for new seedlings! -pics-
Moderators: ViolaAnn, redcrx, Chris_W
- HostaDesigner
- Posts: 750
- Joined: May 15, 2006 3:29 pm
- Location: Niles, MI
Great year for new seedlings! -pics-
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:
Streaked form of 'Mardi Gras' seedlings:
('Dorothy Benedict' X 'Elatior') x OP seedlings
Same flat, with a 'Fragrant Blue' hybrid's seedlings in back:
Actually a strong-growing streaked seedling from 'Sweet Standard'
'High Kicker' seedlings with one HUGE one rising above the rest:
My setup:
Streaked form of 'Mardi Gras' seedlings:
('Dorothy Benedict' X 'Elatior') x OP seedlings
Same flat, with a 'Fragrant Blue' hybrid's seedlings in back:
Actually a strong-growing streaked seedling from 'Sweet Standard'
'High Kicker' seedlings with one HUGE one rising above the rest:
Great setup
Geat pics
Cute babies
How old are they
Geat pics
Cute babies
How old are they
Against stupidity the gods themselves struggle in vain.
E-mail for pics hostapics@gmail.com
E-mail for pics hostapics@gmail.com
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- Posts: 3517
- Joined: Jan 25, 2007 12:51 pm
- Location: kansas, usa zone 5b
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- Posts: 669
- Joined: Mar 10, 2003 10:38 am
- USDA Zone: 5b
- Location: Western NY, Zone 5
Seedlings
They look great!
George
George
Seedlings
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.
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.
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.
- HostaDesigner
- Posts: 750
- Joined: May 15, 2006 3:29 pm
- Location: Niles, MI
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.
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.
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- Posts: 3517
- Joined: Jan 25, 2007 12:51 pm
- Location: kansas, usa zone 5b
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
Linda P
And time remembered is grief forgotten,
And frosts are slain and flowers begotten.....
Algernon Charles Swinburne
Latitude: 41° 51' 12.1572"
My Hosta List
And frosts are slain and flowers begotten.....
Algernon Charles Swinburne
Latitude: 41° 51' 12.1572"
My Hosta List
- HostaDesigner
- Posts: 750
- Joined: May 15, 2006 3:29 pm
- Location: Niles, MI
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. Apparently, I'm too patient.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