TAPS

This is the most incredible rendition of TAPS that I have ever heard, and by a 13 year old. I know I am old and a softy, but I had tears in my eyes. If you have lost someone in service or know of someone who has, this is just incredible. A former colleague shared it with me and I would like to share it with you.

Life is very, very good.

Lee

First, read the following, and then click on the web site.

The conductor of the orchestra is Andre Rieu from Holland .

The young lady, her trumpet and her rendition of TAPS makes

your hair stand on end.

Many of you may never have heard taps played in its entirety,

for all of the men and women that have died for you to have the

freedom you have in America . This is an opportunity you won't

want to miss and I guarantee you'll never forget.

Amazingly beautiful.Melissa Venema, age 13, is the trumpet soloist.

She is also from Holland.

Here is Taps played in its entirety. The original version of Taps

was called Last Post, and was written by Daniel Butterfield in 1801.

It was rather lengthy and formal, as you will hear in this clip, so in

1862 it was shortened to 24 notes and re-named Taps.

Melissa Venema is playing it on a trumpet whereby the original

was played on a bugle.

http://www.flixxy.com/trumpet-solo-melissa-venema.htm

Greenhouse Seedlings 11/26/2011

Remember, a left click on an image will give you an enlargement.

It has been 20 days since I last took picture of the seedlings growing in the greenhouse. Watching them daily, it soesn't seem like they are growing much but then when I compare these images with those of 20 days ago, it appears that they have made good progress. Compare these with the previous images, then back to the first images and you will see what I mean.

These are the seedling to the right of the entrance door. The seeds were planted on July 23 and transplanted to the gallon pots on September 24, so they are now about 4 months old.

These are the seedlings left of the entrance door.

These are the left center bench looking from the rear of the greenhouse. They were started in peat pots about two week later than the first bunch and were the last to be transplanted to gallon pots on October 18, almost a moth later than the ones first planted.









The seedlings on the right bench appear larger because they were transplanted about a month earlier that the last bunch, plus, that is the side of the greenhouse that the gas heater is on. I am thinking that this is making a world of difference.

As always, we thank you for visiting our blog. Please leave a comment below.

Life is very, very good.

Lee

Greenhouse Seedlings 11/7/2011

Remember, a left click on an image will give you an enlargement.

I thought I would show the growth of the seedlings in just 2 ½ weeks. They have been watered overhead daily with my misting system with a weak solution of water soluble fertilizer. You can check each picture with the pictures in the previous blog to see the growth. I tried to take the pictures in about the same location.

This is the seedling bench on the right side of the greenhouse.

The seedling bench on the left side of the greenhouse.

And this is the left center bench looking from the door.















As you can see, there has been considerable growth in just 2 ½ weeks. Hopefully, many will bloom in March/April/May.

As always, we thank you for visiting our blog. Please leave a comment below.

Life is very, very good.

Lee

Greenhouse Seedlings 10/21/2011

Remember, a left click on an image will give you an enlargement.

I finished transplanting the peat pot seedlings in the greenhouse a couple days ago, but had to wait until today to take the pictures because of lack of sunlight. When the cold front came through a couple days ago, not only did our temperatures take a nosedive and we received about 1" of rain, but the sun ducked under clouds. Today I was able to take some pictures. 

Seeds were planted in peat pots in July/August. Transplanting of the seedling peat pots to trade 1 gallon pots began on September 24, and because of my being slow and doctor''s appointments, etc., I did not finish until October 19.

As you walk in the door of the greenhouse, this bench is to the right. It is comprised of 4 4' x 10' benches for a total of 40'. Each 10' bench is also a water bed which is made from 2 x 4s and lined with plastic. There are 18 rows of 7 pots in each of the 4 beds for a total of 504 trade 1 gallon pots on each 44' bench. As the seedlings are transplanted, a small handful of Nutricote 18-6-8 180 day with minors was added to the pots. In addition, 2 tsp. of Bayer Tree and Shrub were sprinkled on the top to prevent fungus gnats, aphids, thrips, etc.  A weed pre-emergent was also sprinkled on the top. Yes, we do get weeds in the greenhouse.

As you walk in the door of the greenhouse, this bench is on the left side. As you can see, it is of the same configuration and size as the bench on the right side. Again, there are 18 rows of 7 pots in each of the 4 beds for a total of 504 trade 1 gallon pots on each 40' bench. This brings the total pots at this point to 1008.







This picture is taken from the back of the greenhouse looking toward the entrance door. There is one more 4' x 10' bench with 126 seedlings on it. As you walk in the dorr of the greenhouse, it is the bench on the left center. This bench is 30' long. I have used 10' and the remaining 20' will be for Jean to start her annuals and the neighbor to start his tomato and pepper plants.





There are 4 benches wide in my greenhouse, and the 4th bench will be used for my hybridizing plants. It is about 36' long and I can get 156 potted 3 gallon pots on it. If you look to the left side of the last image above, you will be able to see this bench.

All benches are set up also as water beds. Last year I grew all of the daylilies, both hybridizing plants and seedlings in the water beds. I would guess that I bloomed 40% of the 9 month seedlings.

So, if you have been counting, there are a total of 1134 seedlings growing in trade one gallon pots. These are all of the seedlings we will grow this year. It has just gotten too difficult for us to get down on our knees and plant seedlings in the ground. In the past, we have grown up to 5000 seedlings . . . no more! Again, if you are counting, this is approximately 80% fewer seedlings than just a couple years ago.

As always, we thank you for visiting our blog. Please leave a comment below.

Life is very, very good.

Lee

Power Point seedling presentation

Each year I develop a Power Point presentation of some of the selected seedlings of that and other years that I am watching and hoping they will "weather the storm" of selection. This year is no different. The 2011 version is done. If they have a "1" in front of the seedling number, they first bloomed in 2011. You will also see images of the parents of these seedlings. 

One of the year 2011 seedlings on the Power Point presentation






I have spent some time trying to figure out how to get you to the Power Point presentation by clicking something on this blog . . . without success. I am not the most computer literate person as you can probably tell. So, I guess the best way to get you to it is to tell you to go to my website at www.chattanoogadaylilies.com and on the "home" page you will find a yellow box in the upper right hand corner . . . left click on "Seedlings" and you should be able to open the presentation. You will need to have the Power Point software on your computer to be able to view it.

One of the year 2010 seedlings on the Power Point presentation.






For the last several days I have been transplanting the peat pot seedlings in the greenhouse to trade gallon pots. At this point, I have 900 plus done. I plan to end up with about 1100. When I am finished, I will post pictures on this blog.

As always, we thank you for visiting our blog. Please leave a comment below.

Life is very, very good.

Lee

 

2012 Introductions . . . Final Part 9

The weather has moderated some here and it is more like the beginning of fall with a few warmer days thrown in. I have started transplanting the seedling peat pots into the 1 gallon pots. I can oly work until about 10:30 in the greenhouse because then the sun is out and the temperature has climbed.

2012 Introduction No. 8 Final (Left click for a larger image) 

All images I have shown you so far have been taken outside in the field. For Introduction No. 9, I thought I would show you images from both the greenhouse and the field. The pattern is exactly the same, the "relief" sculpting is still evident, the biggest difference is in the color. Yes, in the second image, the flower does have sepals, they are just recurved.

From the greenhouse . . .

From the field . . .

H. 'When Johnny Comes Marching Home’

s/f ... $100.00 ... d/f ... $150.00
28” EM SEv Re EMO Ext 5½”. 4-way branching, 18 buds. Petals 3½”, sepals 2”.
    This flower has the “relief” form of sculpting and is a pale peach with a rosy eye. A lemon-lime throat and a heavily ruffled rosy edge with a gold line provides the finishing touches. Opens like this every morning. Very heavy substance which holds well in the sun or rain. Second set of scapes emerge before first set is done blooming. Fertile. No. 9034 (Elisa Dallas X Wonder Of It All)

As always, we thank you for visiting our blog. Please leave a comment below.

Life is very, very good.

Lee

2012 Introductions . . . Part 8

I had donated about 600 1 gallon potted daylily seedlings to the City of Chattanooga Parks Department and yesterday City employees arrived with a big truck. It took three trips to get them all. I will get a nice tax donation letter from the City . . . much better than composting them. The seedlings were still in the greenhouse so now that they were removed, this morning I spent time cleaning up getting ready to transplant the peat pot seedlings to one gallon pots. It is always fun transplanting and trying to imagine what I will get from each of the crosses. A good time!

2012 Introduction No. 8 (Left click for a larger image) 

H. 'Steppin’  Out With My Baby’

s/f ... $85.00 ... d/f ... $125.0035" ML SEv EMO Ext LFr Re 6". 5-way branching, 27 buds. Petals 3”, sepals 2”.
    This has been one of my perennial (am I allowed to say that) favorites in the garden. A complex overlay of strawberry syrup mixed with lemonade shows up in the color.  A bright lemon throat leads to a green heart. It has a delicate appearance, but the substance is as heavy as leather and defies the sun and rain to touch it. Opens like pictured every morning. Very round and full, the petals are heavily ruffled with some light relief sculpting in evidence. The tall scapes carry the heavily branched and budded scape. A very fine daylily. Pod and pollen fertile. No. 8153 (Judy Farquar X Wonder Of It All)

As always, we thank you for visiting our blog. Please leave a comment below.

Life is very, very good.

 

Lee

2012 Introductions . . . Part 7

What a great weekend! I flew to Hartford, Connecticut on Friday to speak to the Connecticut Daylily Society on Saturday. Friday night I was picked up at the hotel and taken to dinner by club president Russ Allen. We were joined by Phil Douville and Cheryl Fox. Nice conversation and they tried to get me to talk about daylilies but I told them to wait until Saturday so they wouldn't have to hear the same thing twice.

Saturday morning, Gary Jones picked me up at the hotel and took me on a driving tour of Hartford, including the Mark Twain house where he used to work. It would have been nice to take the inside tour, but I just cannot walk steps. I saw a lot of the insurance company buildings that my son consults with.

Saturday, after the meeting, Rich Howard took me to his home to see his operation. Rich also has a greenhouse and although we have never corresponded about our operations, we do a lot of things very similar. Rich uses the No. 38 seed trays, and like me, has a lot of the resulting seedlings are still to be planted.


Rich presented me with a cap, but not just any cap, a "Life is good" cap. Rich asked me, "Please be diligent in wearing  this cap to help keep anything else from leaking out". What a friend! Here I am tilling under the 3500 seedlings in the field that were non selects. I till them in to help put nutrients back in the soil. You can see me wearing Rich's cap. Then, a close up to show the logo. When I went inside, I looked in the cap and saw that nothing new had leaked out. Just left click for a larger image.





2012 Introduction No. 7 (Left click for a larger image)

H. 'Orange Blossom Lane’

s/f ... $85.00 ... d/f ... $125.00
35" E SEv Re EMO Ext 6". 3-way branching, 18 buds. Petals 3”, sepals 2”.
    Opens with perfect form every time. The large 6" flower is a soft orange marmalade self but it does have a very faint rose halo. The flower is finished by with very green throat. The heavy substance makes the flower rain and sun resistant. The wide petals are lightly folded and ruffled which also carries through on the sepals. Fertile both ways in the greenhouse. No.0710 (Enchanted Dreams X tetra Connie Burton)

As always, we thank you for visiting our blog. Please leave a comment below.

Life is very, very good.

Lee

2012 Introductions . . . Part 6

This weekend I am headed toward the northeast and the Connecticut Daylily Society to present my program. I believe the meeting is at 1:00 PM Saturday and I am looking forward to sharing what I know with the club. Also looking forward to meeting Rich Howard and the other CDS members. Saturday afternoon Rich will be taking me to his home to see his operation which I am really looking forward to.

The last couple days I have been removing the ground cloth paths between the seedling beds in preparation for tilling under the 3500 seedlings. After the ground cloth was removed, I mowed off the tops of the daylilies and the weeds growing in the beds.Now to put the tiller on the Kubota and till them under.

Our weather made an abrupt change today, in the low 70s with night time temps in the 50s. Great working and sleeping weather.

2012 Introduction No. 6 (Left click for a larger image)

 H. 'Moments In Moonlight’

s/f ... $65.00 ... d/f ... $100.00
36" ML SEv Re EMO Ext 5¾". 4-way branching, 23 buds. Petals 2¾”, sepals 1¾”.
    A polychrome of lemon and pink over cream. Shows some light sculpting and should work well in a sculpting program. A yellow throat which finishes in a pistachio heart completes the picture. The form is very round with the petal edges being heavily ruffled. The substance is very heavy which allows it to hold up in sun and on a rainy day. Has good branching and bud count on a very tall flower. Fertile. No. 0786 (Mandalay Bay Music X Wonders Never Cease)

As always, we thank you for visiting our blog. Please leave a comment below.

Life is very, very good.

Lee

2012 Introductions . . . Part 5

I have spent the last couple days selecting potted cultivars to take into the greenhouse this winter for hybridizing. I have a variety . . . reds, eyes and edges, seedlings and yellows (naturally) etc., etc. My goal is to have about 150 pots to hybridize with. I can generate more seeds with that number than I can plant. It has been fun to think what you would like to do, then select the plants to do it.

2012 Introduction No. 5 (Left click for a larger image)

  H. 'Jukebox Saturday Night’ 

s/f ... $85.00 ... d/f ... $125.00
35”" M SEv EMO Ext Re 6". 4-way branching, 21 buds. Petals 3”, sepals 1¾”
    A hearty clear pinot noir with slightly darker veining. Both petals and sepals have an edge of yellow/gold. Petals are crimped, folded and ruffled. A lemon throat matches segment’s edges and leads to a green heart. Substance is very good for a purple but does fade some in a very hot sun. Pod and pollen fertile in the greenhouse. No. 8175 (Singular Sensation X Larry  Allen Miller)

As always, we thank you for visiting our blog. Please leave a comment below.

Life is very, very good.

Lee

New 2012 Introductions . . . Part 4

Just after we finished our lining out, Tropical Depression, Lee came through and dumped somewhere around 10" of rain on us. We were in dire need, so it was very welcome. Fortunately, the rain did not come down in a deluge and most of it soaked into the ground. A day after, I dug some plants to ship and the ground was damp, but not muddy. Of course, if I had driven the tractor into the freshly tilled ground just before the rain, they would still be looking for me.

It is time to begin thinking about the Hybridizer's Summit in December. Many of the most famous hybridizers in the world will gather at the Chattanooga Choo Choo on Friday, December 2 to meet old friends and make some new ones. Lots of dinner selections in downtown Chattanooga where a free shuttle will take you from the Choo Choo to the downtown destinations. I know many of you are prone to lick your fingers at Sticky Fingers. Friday night the hospitality room will be open and we urge you all to bring your bottle of wine, jug of white lightening, or other libation along with your favorite munchies to share.

Saturday morning we will convene at the Finley Lecture Hall at the Choo Choo for a showing of the finest new daylilies to come in the future. If you have been to the Choo Choo, you know that the Finley Lecture Hall is a theater style room with high backed easy chairs that if you get bored you can certainly fall asleep. Noon you can again take advantage of all the fantastic food selections for lunch, then back to the images. We try to end by dinnertime, but if we have too many slides, we will convene after dinner to finish. Then it is back to the hospitality room.

By the way, there is no charge to attend. If you are ready to say "YES, I want to attend", you should call the Chattanooga Choo Choo, 1400 Market Street, Chattanooga, TN at 1-800-TRACK29 to make your reservation. Rooms are $89.00 +tax, single/double. Mention you are with the Daylily Hybridizer's Group. All interested in daylilies are invited to attend . . . you do not have to be a hybridizer.

2012 Introduction No. 4 (Left click for a larger image)

 H. 'How Sweet You Are'

s/f ... $85.00 ... d/f ... $125.00
32" M SEv EMO Ext Fr Re 6". 4-way branching, 21 buds. Petals 3¼” sepals 2”.
    A subtle bi-tone of very pastel mauve.  The bright yellow/gold petal edges are heavily ruffled and crimped. Some light relief sculpting is seen in the petals. A bold yellow/gold throat leads to a green heart. The color is slightly moderated in rebloom. Substance is heavy and holds up well against most rains. A very showy flower in the garden. Fertile both ways in the greenhouse.
No. 9057 (Robert W. Carr X Some Sweet Day)

As always, we thank you for visiting our blog. Please leave a comment below.

Life is very, very good.

Lee

2012 Introductions . . . Part 3

We are finally getting some rain! Have had over 1" so far and Tropical Depression Lee is just getting started. It is predicted that we will continue to get rain through Wednesday. We are happy, happy. Luckily we had all the planned lining out done in the field before this rain started. I have some orders to be dug for shipment on Tuesday that will have to wait until this weekend . . . probably ship Saturday if the Post Office is still in operation. Just heard on the news that they may have to close down because they cannot meet their financial obligations this month. The are looking for a bailout from Congress. I guess the times are hard all over!

2012 Introduction No. 3 (Left click for a larger image)

 H. "Ding Dong! The Witch Is Dead'

s/f ... $100.00 ... d/f ... $150.00
24” EM SEv EMO Ext 4¼”, 4-way branching, 23 buds. Petals 2½” sepals 1¼”.
    Teeth, hooks and fringes on the petals surround the lemon yellow segments which are washed lightly in pink. Opens well and is like the picture every morning. The substance is very heavy and this one holds up well in rain and sun. Pod and pollen fertile in the greenhouse. A very nice cultivar to add to your toothy program.

No. 0751 (Horny Devil X Golden Tentacles)

As always, we thank you for visiting our blog. Please leave a comment below.

Life is very, very good.

Lee

2112 Introduction - Part 2

The heat continues here in Tennessee. We just had the driest month in history (at least since they started keeping records), 0.01" of rain for the month of August. Also, this was the third hottest month on record. Jean says we are seeing a new variety of mosquito, one that is bigger and has stripes on it's wings. Just what we need, a mosquito capable of drawing enough blood for a transfusion.

Lining out is finished here at Chattanooga Daylilies. This is probably the least we have ever done. At this rate, we may not do any next year. I have approximately 3000 seedlings in No. 38 seed trays that someone could pick up pretty reasonable. If you are interested, call me or email me at leepickles@epbfi.com.

2012 Introduction No. 2

H. 'Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy'

28" M SEv EMO Ext 6". 5-way branching, 27 buds. Petals 3”, sepals 1¾”.

s/f ... $100.00 ... d/f ... $150.00
    This flower is a very clean regal velvety purple with a faint watermark of white. Deep ruffled white edges with a yellow throat leading to a green heart. Opens well every morning. The scape is well branched with lots of buds. A garden show flower admired by visitors. Fertile in the greenhouse. 

No. 8067 (Mandalay Bay Music X Larry Allen Miller)

Thank you for visiting our blog. Please leave a comment below.

Life is very, very good.

Lee

2012 Introduction - Part 1

Jean and I have been lining out 2012 introductions the last few days. I know it is hot, but it had to be done. When it is hot like this, I use the Karen Newman approach which she claims gives her very few losses. Clumps are dug and separated into 1 and 2 fans. They are then set aside for at least 48 hours which allows any cut crowns to heal over. Plants are then put in the ground and watered in. No water is added for at least a week. In my opinion, excess water and high temperatures make for ideal rot conditions. The plants look like they have gone into summer dormancy, but Karen assures me that they will revive. I certainly hope so!

2012 Introduction No. 1

 H. 'Body and Soul'

37" M SEv EMO Ext 5¼". 3-way branching, 18 buds.  
s/f ... $85.00 ... d/f ... $125.00
    One of the most distinctive flowers in the garden, the pastel orchid of the flower contrasts with the lavender etched halo. The double edges of lavender and lemon/green  give a distinct appearance. The throat matches the lemon/green petal edge and leads to a green heart. Tall scapes carry the flowers well above the foliage. Substance is good for this color range. Fertile.
No 9060 (Mandalay Bay Music X Wonder Of It All)

Thank you for visiting our blog.

Life is very, very good.

Lee

Seedlings germinated in 5 days

Last year I purchased peat pots to plant many of the seeds that I planned to transplant to trade one gallon pots and grow in the greenhouse over the winter. These peat pots were in flimsy trays of 50. To be able to handle them, I placed them into regular trays. The peat pots were 2" x 2" x 3" deep. I did enough to plant into approximately 1000 trade one gallon pots. I grew these pots in water beds, so the plants were never dry. I would estimate that I had 50% bloom in 9 months. So, I thought I would try it again this year and push the seedlings more and try to get a higher bloom rate in 9 months. It is fun to see 9 month seedlings like the BIG boys in Florida.

This year I purchased more peat pots, only these are 2" x 2" x 2". We will see if the smaller depth effects the germination or growth. I really appreciated using 1/3 less seed starting mix as it is rather expensive. In the image showing the peat pots on the growing bench, you can see the difference in height, the 3" pots are in the back.There are 24 trays. You can see that the first 6 trays are even with the top of the tray and the last 18 are approximately 1" above the tray.

The first seeds were planted in the peat pots this year on Saturday, July 23. The first seedling that I saw germinate was the one to the left in the picture below. The seedling on the right germinated the 6th day. The cross was (Cimarron Rose X [(Camelot Red X Doug's Caress)]. Today, there were several more seeds from this same cross that had germinated.

How can you not get excited when the seeds begin germinating? More later.

Life is very, very good.

Lee

Planting Seeds 1

Seed planting has begun . . . 700 seeds planted the last two days in 2" x 2" x 3" peat pots. These peat pots were left from last year's plantings. This year I purchased 2" x 2" x 2' peat pots to plant the seeds in. They should use 1/3 less seed starting mix, which is rather expensive. We will see if germination or growth is affected using the smaller pot.

So far, it appears that this is going to be my "RED" year. I have more seeds using red parents than all the others put together . . . and yes, it was on purpose. My red seeds involve crosses using a lot of seedlings, many of them mine, one of Larry Grace's and one of Bill Waldrop's. Then named varieties, like DAVID L. HANSEN. JEAN PICKLES, MAX PICKLES, CHRISTMAS GREETINGS, CIMARRON ROSE, HAWKEYE PIRDE, CHERRIES JUBILEE, and the wonderful CAMELOT RED. Yes, these are exciting days contemplating what magnificent wonders I have created.

I do remember planting SOME seeds from HORNY DEVIL, BASS GIBSON, RAZORWIRE, IRISH HALO, ANGEL'S GATHER ROUND, and a multitude of others SO YOU CAN SEE THAT ALL WERE NOT RED. It is fun to look into my crystal ball and see what beautiful cultivars I have created. So you see, I have been busy!




I would like to take a look back at the 9 month red seedlings that bloomed this year, in particular those involving H. 'Camelot Red' (Salter 2010). I was really excited about the kids I saw blooming from CR. The depth and clarity of red was just outstanding. Here is an image of CR.

H. 'Camelot Red'
(Salter, 2010)








Here are some of the kids

Seedling No. 1004
(Camelot Red X Doug's Caress)

Probably my favorite of the group and one that I used a lot of pollen in the greenhouse this year. The seedlings that I am going to show you all bloomed as 9 month seedlings in the greenhouse in March of 2011. This is the first time I have bloomed 9 month seedlings and it was really a pleasure to be able to use pollen from these seedlings.

Seedling No. 1016
(Camelot Red X Jean Pickles)

Seedling No. 1028
(Camelot Red X Jean Pickles)

Seedling No. 1040
[(Awesome Bob X Larry Allen Miller) X Camelot Red]

Seedling No. 1042
(Waldrop Seedling X Camelot Red)

Seedling No. 1052
[(Shores of Time X Larry Allen Miller) X Camelot Red]

Seedling No. 1061
[(Shores Of Time X Larry Allen Miller) X Camelot Red]





The next blog page I will show some of the parents used in making this years crop of seeds. I am excited about my red crosses this year and can't wait until next March to see some of them bloom in the greenhouse. They are then moved to the display beds outside and we hope they are as good out there.

Life is very, very good

Lee

Northern Mecca/Display Bed Lineout

Jean and I climbed into the car about 7:30 AM last Thursday (June 30) to make the trip to Northern Mecca. We arrived at the hotel about 2:30 PM and when we walked in the door, I could smell some type of cleaning agent. I did not pay any attention and should have. Over the next two nights my sinus swelled to what seemed double their size and my nostrils swelled to where I could not breathe through my nose. By Friday night I could not sleep because of the swelling. So after visiting only two gardens, those of Jamie Gossard and Mike and Sandy Holmes, we headed home on Saturday. Since arriving home, I have started on a prednisone (sp?) regimen to reduce the swelling in my nose so I can breathe. What a disappointment not to see the remainder of the gardens.

We met Bob and Barb Pappenhausen at the hotel and rode with them to the two gardens on Friday. We enjoy their company and friendship. Here we all are with Jamie Gossard in his garden.

Now that I have been home a few days, my breathing has returned to normal. I will be seeing an allergist on Monday because I have a chronic problem with my nose.

Since returning home, Jean and I have completed transplanting the selected greenhouse seedlings from their trade one gallon pots to the display bed that we started before heading north. The bed is 8' wide and 40' long, and plants are planted 2' apart. Their are 20, 19, 20 and 19 plants in respective rows, plants staggered between the front and back plants in each row. Except for having the pine bark mini nugget mulch, the bed is done. Here is what it looks like.

Thanks for looking at my blog

Life is very, very good.

Lee

Starting to get ready for next year

This morning I started getting ready for next year. We have three display beds that are 8' X 40' between the greenhouse and the front side yard. It is to these three display beds that selected seedlings are transplanted and grown for evaluation until they are either selected for introduction or composting. Normally this happens within 3 to 4 years.

This images shows the three display beds and the one I am working on at present is what I cal B2, which naturally is the second or middle bed. These beds are about 17 years old and during those years, have had mushroom compost, topsoil, nature's helper, etc. added so they have been amended substantially. The middle bed has just been tilled.

This closeup image shows just how pliable the soil is. Looking toward the front of the house and the street, you can see part of Jean's perennial border at the end of the bed. Visitors come to look at the daylilies and end up ooohing and aaahing over Jean's perennial beds. She does a great job with them.

A left click on the image will make it larger and you will be able to see the lined out selected seedlings. These were seedlings that bloomed in 9 months in the greenhouse this spring in trade one gallon pots. I lay out a row with a string and I have a 100' tape that I lay down so that I can plant the seedlings every 2'. A hole is dug, and a little composted cow manure is added and mixed in. The plant is removed from the pot and planted in the hole. Some Nutricote 18-6-8 180 w/ minors is added along with some Milorganite. When the bed is completely planted, I will broadcast some Dolomite Lime for PH and Snapshot for weed control. On top of all of that, I will mulch with some pine bark to help hold moisture and for more weed control.

Thanks for taking the time to look at my blog. Please leave me a comment below so I will know that I am not just doing this for myself.

Life is very, very good.

Lee

Outside blooms 6/24

We have been having afternoon rains for the last few days which has given new life to the blossoms. You can water all you want with "city" water, but nothing is like the real stuff that comes down from above . . . it just seems to have some magic in it! Our weather has also been HOT! We have broken sever high records already this summer.

I took a couple pictures of seedlings this morning to share with you.

Pollen Parent
H. (Larry Allen Miller)

Pod Parent
H. 'Awesome Bob'

Seedling No. 9040 (Awesome Bob X Larry Allen Miller)

This is just as cherry red as seen.

Pollen Parent

H. 'Tempest Keep'

 Pod Parent

H. 'Crazy Ivan'

 Seedling No 0119 (Crazy Ivan X Tempest Keep)

It is difficult to see in this picture, but there are teeth all around the petals.

Thanks again for looking. Maybe we will see you next weekwnd (July 4 weekend) in one of the Northern Mecca gardens.

Life is very, very good

Lee

 

More Garden Seedlings 6/7/11

I have really gotten behind reporting on seedlings blooming in the field. We had a wonderful visit from Bob and Barb Pappenhausen over the weekend and we traveled to Marietta, GA to visit Bill and Diana Waldrop and to Delano, TN to visit the garden of Steve and Karen Newman. Plus, I have not been well lately with some heart problems and now a nasty summer cold. Hopefully I am on the mend. Here are some new seedlings . . . some may have a same parent, so you will need to look for some of the parents.

Pollen Parent
H. 'Spectral Elegance'
(Stamile, 2002)

Pod Parent
H. Wonder Of It All'
(Carr, 2006)

Seedling No. 1107 (Wonder Of It All X Spectral Elegance)

Pollen Parent

H. 'Diana's Evening Gown'

(Wladrop, 2009)

Pod Parent

H. 'Wonder Of It All' (Image Above)

Seedling No. 1105 (Wonder Of It All X Diana's Evening Gown)

Pollen Parent

H. 'Robert W. Carr'

(Pickles, 2010)

Pod Parent (No Image)

Seedling No. 0786

(Mandalay Bay Music X Wonders Never Cease)

Seedling No. 1109 [(Mandalay Bay Music X Wonders Never Cease) X Robert W. Carr]

And from the same cross

 Seedling No. 1109 [(Mandalay Bay Music X Wonders Never Cease) X Robert W. Carr]

Isn't it amazing what happens when you mix these genetics. Here are two seedlings, probably from the same pod, looking very dissimilar. 

I am very pleased with the seedlings that I am getting from H. 'Robert W. Carr'.

 Seedling No. 1110 (Wonder Of It All X Robert W. Carr)

Images above

Pollen Parent

H. 'Larry Allen Miller'

(Stamile, 2005)

Pod Parent

H. 'Belle Cook'

(Brooker, M. 2001)

Seedling 0019 (Belle Cook X Larry Allen Miller)

Pollen Parent

H. 'Shelter Cove'

(Corbett, 2002)

Pod Parent

H. 'Wonder Of It All'

(Carr, 2006) Image Above

Seedling No. 0745 (Wonder Of It All X Shelter Cove)

Pollen Parent

H. 'Larry Allen Miller'

(Stamile, 2005 (Image Above)

Pod Parent

H. Awesome Bob'

(Pickles, 2001)

Seedling No. 8071 (Awesome Bob X Larry Allen Miller)

I believe that is enough for today. This will get me about half caught up. Jean and I are looking forward to taking the Northern Mecca trip the first weekend in July. Maybe we will meet somewhere along the trail.

Life is very, very good.

Lee