New baby pictures for 2009

[HostaDesigner]

I just love this time of year. Here's some of my upcoming green kids. A couple disappointed me ... a couple pleasantly surprised me!

Newest seedling from last year.


Mostly 2007 seedlings:


Watching this beauty!


Another one I have high-hopes for:



Open pollinated Outrageous seedling from 2006. I just about trashed it last year. What a shock to see it get so much better than last year!


Another one I'm really liking. I think this is out of a streaked Gold Standard...


Probably never'll get named, but I like it just the same. It reminds me of Olga P's 'Manhattan'.


More kids



THIS was a shocker. Totally streaked and unstable last year. One eye is jaw-dropping.


The ultimate in deep-veined, upright habit. A 'Hatsushimo' seedling.


Gotta love growing hostas.

[steg]

all looking very good!

wish we had that kind of space to play around with, maybe some day....

[Seedseller1]

Let's see.....where did I put my shovel and flashlight

Good growing A lot of "lookers" in those beds.

[Spider]

I see some I like. What a cool growing area! How do you keep track of them all? Do you lay out grids? I do like the ripply ones and can really see the difference on the vase shapped ones too. Very nice.

[Mary Ann]

I am impressed with all your seedlings and your set up. Two questions? Are you mulching with moss? And how do you keep the leaves out and your tags in place?

[HostaDesigner]

I see some I like. What a cool growing area! How do you keep track of them all? Do you lay out grids? I do like the ripply ones and can really see the difference on the vase shapped ones too. Very nice.

They are grown in 4 rows per bed lengthwise. I put metal tags at the end of the row, or where the next group of seedlings start. So, even when I cull and dig out 4-5 plants at a time, I know my row is still marked by the metal tag at the end. As space gets opened up, I'll dig and condense the rows to make room for new seedlings.

[HostaDesigner]

I am impressed with all your seedlings and your set up. Two questions? Are you mulching with moss? And how do you keep the leaves out and your tags in place?

Hey, thanks Mary Ann. I let the leaves fall from the previous year, and use a leaf blower to remove them in the spring. I used to rake it, but I would scrape the early emerging eyes, or step on others. The leafblower works great. The tags are metal "hairpin" style from Paw Paw Everlast. They stay put and work like a charm.

About the moss, it just grows (and grows and grows and grows). I use natural dead, straight tree limbs for my edging and the moss will completely take it over within a year. It acts like a natural mulch and helps keep the weeds down a bit.

[ViolaAnn]

I'm really jealous of all that space. Wow! It gives you a chance to really let your seedlings develop a bit before you decide to keep them or not. I know I had a real surprise on one of mine this year and it's only a 2008 seedling. I'm going to have to give most away this year if I keep any 2009 seedlings.

[R. Rock]

Hi,
That sure is nice! You have alot of very, very nice hosta there. They sure would merit garden worthiness.

[jerry_br]

Very very nice seedling beds you have there. Keep us updated as the season progresses.


Jerry

[fenceberry]

Awesome! I'm another one jealous of all that space.

[kHT]

Thank you for sharing these photos, they are all so exciting!!

[Justaysam]

Wow, it looks like a hosta farm!

"About the moss, it just grows (and grows and grows and grows). I use natural dead, straight tree limbs for my edging and the moss will completely take it over within a year. It acts like a natural mulch and helps keep the weeds down a bit. "
I have used tree limbs also to kind of make beds going up a slope. Did you do anything to get the moss to grow? Looks great, hope mine moss up.

[JoshS]

What is the parentage of the bright yellow, low growing, ruffled seedling I see in a couple shots??

[thy]

And the bumbled one next to it ?

What can I say...exept I want to walk your seedling bed...and would love to dig around

Very nice work

Pia

[HostaDesigner]

What is the parentage of the bright yellow, low growing, ruffled seedling I see in a couple shots??

Hi Josh. I think you are looking at the 'High Kicker' open pollinated seedling. I'm loving it this year!

[Willowy]

Very nice and I love the "jaw dropper"! I also wish I had that kind of space - I don't even know what to do with the green kids...

[pauhaus]

All terrific plants, great growing!! Love your nursery set up too.

[Linda P]

Nice babies...quite a few there that would make a great addition to anyone's collection.
It will be exciting to watch them the next few years. It always amazes me to see how
they change over a period of 3 or 4 years.
Linda P

[scootersbear]

need to test some of those a mile high I'm here for you. I love seeing hosta seeddlings after a few years. I have 1 today I was looking at that I just didn't know why I didn't cull it but it had just a little pie crusting so I kept it and this year it jumped and it looks great. The mistake is I kept no records of it and don't remember whos the parents.