seedlings

[sownsew]

I have a number of seedlings coming up volunteer in the garden. All are open pollinated.
Some are directly under a hosta, Francis Williams, elegans, Paradigm, etc.
Some are up to 3-4 yrs old, but so far don't show characteristic coloring of the assumed parent.
Have also collected seeds (also open pollinated) and started them, calling them by the parent name. None of them seem to be taking on coloration of the parent.
Is there a defining term for these haphazardly openly pollinated seedlings?
Is there any real value in them?
When can I expect to see any changes?
Nancy

[HostaDesigner]

Is there a defining term for these haphazardly openly pollinated seedlings?

"Weedlings"

Is there any real value in them?

Only if you find them interesting!

When can I expect to see any changes?

As soon as the housing market settles!

[Tigger]

Nancy,

You might want to check the "hostas from seed, part 1" section of the Hosta FAQ that got put together a few years ago. That section has some basic hosta genetics about what to expect from seedlings.

David

[sownsew]

Thanks, I think.


Weedlings! that's great.

Oh, well.
Still LOL
Nancy

[sownsew]

Thanks David
I will check it out.


Here I am, hoping to stumble upon the next greatest hosta in the whole wide world, so that my husband can retire and we can buy a new house with acreage and I can BUY new hosta to fill it, and not have to dig hundreds out of this yard, and hire a gardener (and just maybe a pool boy,) and and and and

WEEDLINGS!! LOL
Nancy

[wishiwere]

Nothing wrong with dreaming Nancy Just maybe it's a better chance to get the mulah by playing powerball numbers!

[eastwood2007]

Nancy, to save you time from looking anything else up...

Seldom do OP seedlings, or any for that matter, exactly resemble the parent. Most of the seedlings you get will be just green (weedlings - that is funny, BTW ) and you may get an exception, but not many. To get variegated or streaked seedlings you must start with streaked parents. If there are any of those weedlings (or all of them) that you like...well, that is success.

BTW, even if you do find a one-of-a-kind hosta, don't quit your day job! As I think all of these folks can attest, they do it for the love of hosta! That is the only big payoff.

It is fun to grow seedlings, especially thru the winter, so if still interested, there's lots of info out there.

Hope this helps.

[sownsew]

Charla
Thanks for the info.
I believe that there are a few that are not just green.
One of the 'kabitan' shows a stripe and the 'bright lights' are yellow and round.(Those were started last spring in the basement)
I have hopes for those that are under Paradigm. That is such a gorgeous plant, I'd like to have a few more in the yard...(here Piggy-Piggy)
And Elegans...just 'plain old basic big hosta' but sooo majestic.
Well, enough rambling.
It's fun to watch them grow( better than watching grass grow or paint dry!!)
Would LOVE to acidentally introduce a new hosta, but in the meantime I'll keep buying the lottery tickets....
Nancy
PS have read Culling 101
Interesting...

[VThosta/daylilylover]

Please post some pictures if you can. It's always fun to look at the new seedlings, uh weedlings.

[sownsew]

Sorry, would post pics if I could, but I just haven't been able to get them to the acceptable size.
I just hate that I CAN'T do something. But I WILL get it figured out. I WILL! I WILL!!
Thanks for your interest in the babies.
Nancy

[VThosta/daylilylover]

Here is the post that tells you how to do it. Plus, photobucket allows clickable thumbnails so that you can post a picture that looks small and people can click on it and see the large version.
viewtopic.php?t=44548&highlight=photobucket

[Spider]

When you guys say "weedlings" I can't help but picture a hosta seedling with those little googly eyes stuck to the petriols. OMG how cute!

[wishiwere]

@ Spider!