Pic of the Day--Sun Power seedling

Hank Zumach · Post by **Hank Zumach** » Jul 08, 2007 5:06 pm

Hi All--Like many hostaholics, I have tried to grow hostas from seeds. Being lazy, I have been unwilling to put in the effort to control the pollination process and instead have relied on luck and have only grown open pollinated seedlings. As luck would have it, I have gotten a few nice looking seedlings. Actually, I think I have gotten a lot of nice looking seedlings, its just that almost none of them are unique enough to consider registering. With that idea in mind, I would encourage newbies who just want to have fun, and maybe produce some not bad looking plants, to try collecting and growing seeds. In my very limited experience, I have liked the seedlings from June, Elegans, Green Piecrust and Sun Power. I also really like some seedlings from Atom Smasher but that plant is not readily available.

Most of the seedlings that I have grown are used in mass plantings on the edges of what we consider our main garden beds area. The seedlings serve that kind of purpose very well.

I have not included any of my seedlings in the Pic of the Day series because they would have little interest to most gardeners. However, from time to time I will start post a Pic of the Day of a seedling that we are using in our main beds. I have been calling today's plant Hillside Spotlight because of its bright coloring. It is an open pollinated seedling of Sun Power. I first noticed it in 2003 when it was growing in an area of full shade. I moved it to a spot that gets little direct sun but has nice open shade. In its five years there it has measured 33x20, 31x13 (after having a sport removed), 41x13, 50x28 and 61x24. It doesn't show up in the photo very well, but the plant has had some streaked leaves the last two years and I'm hoping it will produce some more sports for us. The photos are from 2003 ( when it was half hidden in a mass planting before I moved it), 2004 and 2007. For some reason, the software is showing the 2004 photo last.

Patrushka · Post by **Patrushka** » Jul 08, 2007 5:14 pm

I think that's a great idea. I would love to see some of your seedlings. I love this one!

The 2004 pic is a thumbnail and the software puts them at the end. I don't know why but it's happened to me too.

largosmom · Post by **largosmom** » Jul 08, 2007 5:19 pm

It's very lovely!

Laura

Wanda · Post by **Wanda** » Jul 08, 2007 5:21 pm

Wow! Really nice seedling, Hank! Just love the lighter streaks and the pretty piecrust edge. That one sure is a keeper!

I have a cute OP Sun Power seedling, too...looks just like Sun Power, but much, much smaller. At 4 yrs. old, hardly 10” across and 10” tall.

wanda

mmsgrv · Post by **mmsgrv** » Jul 08, 2007 5:48 pm

Wow! I love the bright color! It's definately an eye catcher

eastwood2007 · Post by **eastwood2007** » Jul 08, 2007 5:54 pm

Hank, that's gorgeous with a capital "G." If someone hadn't considered growing their own, that could sure change your mind! Thanks for sharing that one!

wishiwere · Post by **wishiwere** » Jul 08, 2007 6:59 pm

Hank, your Hillside Spotlight is a sweet looking hosta! I bet it does do the spotlight amongst all your hillside hosta! Great color! And those lighter streaks are pretty cool! Is that what the sport was that you removed before? Very

seedling!

maidofshade · Post by **maidofshade** » Jul 08, 2007 7:51 pm

That is sure a good one. I grew some seedlings of my own last year and though they are not out of this world, some of them are looking good to me and I can't wait to see them grow up. It is just a fun thing to do!!!

Hank Zumach · Post by **Hank Zumach** » Jul 08, 2007 8:02 pm

Hi Jane--When I took off the sport, it just has the light colored streaks. When it emerged in 2005, it looked like you see in the 1st photo. Now, it is sporting itself and looks like the 2nd photo. I have no idea what it is going to end up looking like but it sure is interesting to see this stuff happening.

nanny_56 · Post by **nanny_56** » Jul 08, 2007 8:09 pm

Love your Hillside Spotlight!! Those sports are cool too!

Claudia

HostaDesigner · Post by **HostaDesigner** » Jul 08, 2007 10:04 pm

Nice plant Hank! Hillside Spotlight is incredible!

renaldo75 · Post by **renaldo75** » Jul 09, 2007 10:43 am

Gorgeous seedling, Hank!!

Looks just as good as many of the gold hostas available for sale - better than most for me with that excellent piecrust edge!!

That 2004 pic captures all of its best qualities. Your sport from it is looking interesting too.

Hosta12_Ia · Post by **Hosta12_Ia** » Jul 09, 2007 11:09 am

WOW, I LOOOOOVEE that one!! Are you sure you shouldn't be passing some of that on to the rest of us?????

We might have to test it in various locations for you! And I have ice cream to trade.

I for one would like to see more of your seedlings. Thanks for sharing your beautiful pictures, Hank.
Jo

wishiwere · Post by **wishiwere** » Jul 09, 2007 2:28 pm

What a change year to year! Very

pauhaus · Post by **pauhaus** » Jul 09, 2007 2:53 pm

Wow, nice seedling Hank.

thy · Post by **thy** » Jul 09, 2007 7:00 pm

Beautiful

And with the few but lovely streaks.. I would bye it if it was in the trade

Great to see some of your seedlings

And, thanks for doing the time to brighten up our days... been raining for weeks here