Seedlings as they grow

It is no secret, if I could not hybridize, I would not "do" daylilies. Just to see a bunch of flowers in an outside garden is not enough for me. I want to see those first bloom seedlings that blow you away. It is worth getting up in the morning just to see what is new.

To that end, I have started the 2016 blooming seedlings in the greenhouse, planting the seeds in September, transpotting to trade 1 gallon pots in October.

Seedlings being traspotted to trade 1 gallon pots in late September.

Picture is of the seedlings on October 20, 2015

Seedlings on December 13, 2015. They have grown a lot.









I believe that many of these will bloom in May.

Life is fun and very, very good.

Lee 

2016 Introductions

     In 2015 we did not offer any new introductions because of health problems. So this year we have nine new introductions for your consideration, all are tetraploids, and most are limited. This is the most exciting collection we have ever offered. We always grow a few of our introductions in the greenhouse during the winter for those wanting their plants early.
     Many of our cultivars do well in the north, growing in Iowa, Minnesota, Maine and Nebraska, among other states.
     These, without a doubt, are our best and most diverse creations we have offered. We are very proud to offer these cultivars.

 



H. 'Jaimie Pickles'

Double Fan $150.00

28" M EMO SEv 6¼" - 3¼" - 2¼". 5-way branching 24/30 buds.

Named for our son, 'Jaimie Pickles' is the color of a fine aged Cabernet with a white edge and light red watermark surrounding a great green throat. Substance holds up well in the rain and sun. The blossoms are carried high above the foliage on strong straight well branched and budded scapes. JP is a great showpiece. Both pod and pollen fertile. One of my most used parents in 2015. It is always said that yellow is the color that carries in the garden but you can see this one from clear across the street. A great show flower.

Seedling No. 2118 (Juanita Manley X Cimarron Rose)

 

H. 'Nicole Pickles'

Double Fan $150.00

26" E SEv Re 5½" - 2¾" - 1¾". 3-way branching 15 buds.

     We are pleased to name this daylily for our daughter-in-law. With the naming of Nicole, this completes the whole family with the naming of H. 'Benjamin', our first grandson in 1998, and H. 'Max Pickles', our second grandson in 2006. The form is impeccably round and full. The color of cherry red is clear and clean with a wire edge of white and halo of light cherry. The scapes are strong and carry the flowers above the arching foliage. Both pod and pollen fertile and used heavily in our hybridizing program in 2015.

Seedling No. 2009 (Juanita Manley X Cimarron Rose)

 

H. 'Stolen Heart'

Double Fan $150.00

28" E SEv 5½" - 2¾" -1¼" 3-4 way branching 18-22 buds.

      Long anticipated by several, H. 'Stolen Heart' is one of our best hybridizing plants. Highly sought after, this picture was much admired at the 2015 MWS. The color is a rich, vibrant red with a wire edge of white and a pink halo surrounding the olive green throat. Blooms are multiple and held well above the foliage. Holds up well to the rain and sun. Pod and pollen fertile, and a powerful, powerful parent. Used heavily for hybridizing from 2013 through 2015. Will jump your red program forward. Very limited. Almost Sold Out!

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

H. 'Marines' Hymn'

Double Fan $150.00

28" E SEv Re 5½" - 2½" - 1½". 4-way branching 19 buds.

This name was chosen prior to the killing of 4 Marines and 1 Navy service personnel in Chattanooga. It is our honor to offer this daylily. One of the most powerful parents that I have, producing clear, clean dark red, full formed blossoms. The form is triangular in shape and the color is a dark burgundy red with a white wire edge and lighter burgundy halo. The throat is lemon to green. It passes the branching on to its kids. Will give you a jump in your red program. Seedling No. 2042 [Rockets Bursting in Air X (Camelot Red X Doug’s Caress)]

 

H. 'Christmas Memories'

Double Fan $150.00

28" E SEv Re 5¾ - 3" - 2" 3-way branching 18 buds.

This is a full formed, round blossom that is carried well above the foliage. The color is a deep clear red with a gold/white edge. A lighter halo circles the bright green throat. The substance is very heavy and holds well in the rain. I am just beginning to see the kids from using it in my hybridizing program and it is producing the round, full form. Pod and pollen fertile. The pod parent is a seedling I acquired from Bill Waldrop.

Seedling No. 2008 [(Santa's Little Helper X Running Hot) X Home of the Free]

H. 'Tom Manley'

Double Fan $100.00

28" EM Re SEv 5½" - 2½" - 2". 3-way branching 17 buds.

We selected this to name for Jean’s brother. One of the showiest flowers in the garden, it is a bright cherry red with a white wire edge and white midribs that add distinction to the blossom. The white watermark surrounds a lemon to green throat. The blossoms are carried high above the foliage on strong well branched scapes. From two of my favorite red parents, H. Cimarron Rose' (Salter 2005) and H. 'Barbara Mandrell' (Kirchhoff 2009). Pod and pollen fertile. Seedling No. 2034 (Cimarron Rose X Barbara Mandrell)

 

H. 'Lee's Blue Lagoon'

Double Fan $100.00

32" M SEv 5½" - 2¼" - 1¼". 3-way branching 17 buds.

A medium purple flower with a light blue watermark which radiates out around the petal edges. The well branched scapes and blossoms are carried high above the arching foliage on sturdy scapes. Very fertile pod and pollen and had many pods set on it this year with H. 'Mikayla Belle' pictured below. Begins blooming and continues when most other colors have finished. Seedling No. 2065 (Bluegrass Memories X Desire of Nations)

 

H. 'Mikayla Belle'

Double Fan $100.00

31" M SEv Re 5½" - 2½" - 1¼". 3-way branching 16 buds.

Wilma Robert of South Dakota won the right to name this cultivar at the Region 1 auction. She chose to name it for her only granddaughter. A clear medium purple flower with a slate blue watermark which continues around the petal and sepal edges. The form is exquisitely round and full. The blossoms are carried high above the arching foliage which makes a very showy clump. Flowering begins when many others have finished. Both very pod and pollen fertile. Seedling No. 2081 (Bluegrass Memories X Desire of Nations)

 

H. 'Bluebird of Happiness'

Double Fan $100.00

31" M EMO SEv 5½" - 2¼" - 2¼". 3-way branching 16 buds.

A soft purple blossom with a wire thin white petal edge highlighted by a darker purple edge. The lavender/blue watermark is highlighted by a darker purple pattern. The flower is open and shows very well. A very showy clump with blossoms forming over the top like a flutter of butterflies. H. 'Desire of Nations (Emmerich 2008) and H. Bluegrass Memories (Preuss 2006) are two of my favorite parents, and like its parents, blooms later in the season. Pod and Pollen fertile. Seedling No. 2071 (Desire of Nations X Bluegrass Memories)

 

Jean and I are very proud to offer these introductions to you.

 

Life is fun and very, very good

 

Lee and Jean

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

Fab Four Favorite Reds

When I began hybridizing in 1986, I had no goals nor any idea where I was going. More importantly, I had no idea what I was doing. I worked with both diploids and tetraploids of all colors. I eventually settled toward tetraploids mostly in the yellow range. I followed this for several years with my program almost entirely to the yellow range. When we moved to our current location in 1993, I was able to erect a greenhouse to further my hybridizing program. I was still into yellows, Bob Carr's H. 'Wonder of it All' was my all time favorite. I remember one year I had 165 pods set on several pots of WOIA. How ridiculous was that?

I have acquired several reds over the last few years, and the following are four of my favorites, in no particular order. Of course, these are in addition to my new reds. Please remember, I probably select these four because I have used them extensively in my hybridizing. 

H. 'Camelot Red' (Salter 2011) In the fall of 2009, Jeff and Elizabeth Salter stopped overnight for a visit and brought a seedling they just called "Red" and "guested" it with me. In the spring of 2010, this seedling bloomed and just blew me away and changed my whole hybridizing program. This red was eventually named H. 'Camelot Red' and this is where it all began. Now my hybridizing program is almost entirely to the red side with a few purples thrown in for a little variety.

H. 'Camelot Red' 
(Salter 2010) Picture courtesy Jeff Salter

'H 'Home of the Free' (Grace 2012). I saw this as a seedling in the garden of Bill Waldrop and was completely taken. I called Larry to see if I could purchase a piece and since it was under seedling number, he would not sell it top me but would "guest" me a fan. I believe this was in 2010, I think a couple years before it was registered and introduced. This is a very saturated clear red with a gold edge and heavy, heavy substance. Used extensively in my hybridizing program.

H. 'Home of the Free'

(Grace 2012)

H. 'Barbara Mandrell' (Kirchhoff 2009). How could you mention reds without including this outstanding red from David. It has outstanding color, the form is exquisite and the color is well saturated. The watermark and green throat really finish off the flower. David kindly gave me a couple fans and in return, he has some of my red seedlings. Have used it extensively in my hybridizing program.

H. 'Barbara Mandrell' 

(Kirchhoff 2009)

H. 'Doug's Caress' (Holley-S 2009) This is another cultivar that I came by accidentally. I had placed an order with Gold Coast Daylilies and was sent DC as a bonus. I don't even remember which plants I ordered, nor do I still have them, but I do remember DC and still have it. A beautifully round and full flower with plenty of substance and saturated color. This is accentuated by a large watermark and a brilliant green throat.

H. 'Doug's Caress' 

(Holley-S 2009)

I know there are other good reds out there: Bill Waldrop's H. 'Blazing Canons' (2012) with one of the parents being H. 'Home of the Free' above.  Larry Grace's H. 'The Ultimate Sacrifice' (2013), both of the above have great color and form. Then there are Ted Petit's H. 'Velvet Throne' (2009) and H. 'Scarlet Angel' (2010), both having that saturated dark velvet red color.

 Life is very, very good.

Lee

My Favorite Reds

When I began hybridizing in 1986, I had no goals nor any idea where I was going. More importantly, I had no idea what I was doing. I worked with both diploids and tetraploids of all colors. I eventually settled toward tetraploids mostly in the yellow range. I followed this for several years with my program almost entirely to the yellow range. When we moved to our current location in 1993, I was able to erect a greenhouse to further my hybridizing program. I was still into yellows, Bob Carr's H. 'Wonder of it All' was my all time favorite. I remember one year I had 165 pods set on several pots of WOIA. How ridiculous was that?

I have acquired several reds over the last few years, and the following are four of my favorites, in no particular order. Please remember, I probably select these four because I have used them extensively in my hybridizing.

H. 'Camelot Red' (Salter 2011) In the fall of 2009, Jeff and Elizabeth Salter stopped overnight for a visit and brought a seedling they just called "Red" and "guested" it with me. In the spring of 2010, this seedling bloomed and just blew me away and changed my whole hybridizing program. This red was eventually named H. 'Camelot Red' and this is where it all began. Now my hybridizing program is almost entirely to the red side with a few purples thrown in for a little variety.

 

H. 'Camelot Red' (Salter 2010) Picture courtesy Jeff Salter

 

'H 'Home of the Free' (Grace 2012). I saw this as a seedling in the garden of Bill Waldrop and was completely taken. I called Larry to see if I could purchase a piece and since it was under seedling number, he would not sell it top me but would "guest" me a fan. I believe this was in 2010, I think a couple years before it was registered and introduced. This is a very saturated clear red with a gold edge and heavy, heavy substance. Used extensively in my hybridizing program.

 





H. 'Home of the Free'

(Grace 2012

 

H. 'Barbara Mandrell' (Kirchhoff

 

Possible 2016 Introductions

In 2015, we did not offer any new introductions because of health problems. Maybe that was good because it gave me another full year to evaluate the seedling we have had in the display beds. I have had a great spring/summer (heat wise) this year evaluating those seedlings and have tagged several to watch further as possible introductions for 2016. I hope you like them!

 

This is seedling No. 1004 (Doug's Caress (Holley 2009) X Camelot Red (Salter J. 2010). This, without a doubt, has been my most heavily used pollen parent and have set several pods on it. It is a full formed, rich saturated red with a wire white edge. The white watermark and the lemon to green throat complete the overall picture. Preliminary statistics: 28" 5¾" x 2¾" x 1¾" - 3 to 4 way branching, 17 buds. Here are some kids involving Seedling 1004. 

 Seedling 2041 [(1004 Doug's Caress X Camelot Red) 

X Barbara Mandrell]

Probably my most used pollen parent of 2015.

 Seedling 3055 (Cimarron Rose X 1004 Doug's Caress X Camelot Red)

Seedling 2097 [(Wild Cherry Roundup X Max Pickles) X 1004 Doug's 

Caress X Camelot Red)]

 Seedling 5063 (Cimarron Rose X 1004 Doug's Caress X Camelot Red)

 
 Seedling 3075 (Pele's Tears X 1004 Doug's Caress X Camelot Red)

Seedling 2053 (Cimarron Rose X 1004 Doug's Caress X Camelot Red)

Seedling 3046 (Camelot Red X 1004 Doug's Caress X Camelot Red)

¾ Camelot Red

You can see that the seedlings of 1004 have maintained that rich saturated red and most with a white halo. The wire edge of white and yellow/green throat are also consistent.

I will have some additional possible introductions that I will add shortly.

Life is very, very good.

Lee

More Excitement

The new seedlings in the greenhouse are running a little late this year for some reason. Many have not even scaped yet. However, there have been a few that are on the "save and watch" list.

Pollen Parent
Seedling 4025
(Rockets Bursting in Air X (Camelot Red X Doug's Caress) X 
(Waldrop Red Seedling X Home of the Free)]

Pod Parent
[Rockets Bursting in Air X (Camelot Red X Doug's Caress)]

Seedling 5017

I like the color saturation, the watermark and the green throat.

Pollen Parent 
H. 'Camelot Red'
(Salter 2010)

Pod Parent
H. 'Blazing Canons'
(Waldrop 2013)

Seedling 5025

Great color, watermark and white edge, green throat.

Pollen Parent
[Rockets Bursting in Air X (Camelot Red X Doug's Caress)]

Pod Parent
H. 'Sister Valerie'
(Kirchhoff 2012)

Seedling 5033

Great form, saturated color, watermark and green throat.








And the last seedling for today.

Seedling 5027

(Bluegrass Memories X Waldrop Seedling 2-466








That is it for now. Hope you enjoy the images.

Life is very, very good.

Lee

Absolutely beautiful

The love of my life.

May 24th will be the 61st anniversary of the first date with my wife, Jean. I remember the day we met vividly. It was about 2 weeks earlier. Her grandparents lived in my home town and her family visited often. Just happened that on that Sunday she was with a classmate of mine in downtown Colfax. Now, you have to know that downtown Colfax is a whopping 2 blocks long, and if you stretch it, maybe 2 ½ blocks. They were sitting on the steps of the Presbyterian Church and I happened to drive by and spotted her. I drove around a couple more times (remember, it is only 2 blocks long) and they finally got up and began walking toward Werrick's Drug Store in the middle of town for a cold drink. I quickly found a place to park (not difficult in Colfax either) and went into the drug store where we were introduced. On that day, I lost my heart in Colfax.

Our first date on May 24th was right after my high school graduation night. We double dated with my cousin who was dating a classmate of mine. We drove to Des Moines, IA where we went to a pizza restaurant, if I remember correctly, it was Mama's Pizza Restaurant. This was our first introduction to pizza and neither of us liked it (unlike now). 

Jean was a rising Senior in HS. We dated for a year, then I asked her to marry me. If I remember correctly, she said "Yes"! She graduated from HS and then went to (at that time) Iowa State Teachers College and got her 2-year degree to teach. She graduated in June and we were married on August 17, 1957. The smartest thing I have ever done in my life.

Here is a picture of us taken by Deb Monbeck at the 2015 MWS which was printed in the Region 10 newsletter, The Daylily Appeal.

I look at this picture and still see the young 17 year girl old that I met in early May of 1954. My life began when she said "I do."

Life is very, very good

Lee

New Seedlings in the Greenhouse

The greenhouse named varieties and previous year's seedlings are just about through and the 2015 seedlings are beginning to bloom. How exciting!

I have just about decided that I have more than enough seeds to plant later this summer so will probably not do too much more hybridizing . . . so I say! It is hard to walk in and see all those beautiful blooms just hollering to be come parents. How can you resist!

Bill Waldrop has been trying to convert H. 'Choo Choo Caboose' for me. I was excited to see that it was going to bloom this morning. However, when I examined the bloom and plant, it appears that it is still diploid. I tried some of the pollen so will see what happens. Below is a picture of H. 'Choo Choo Caboose'. It has wonderful, saturated color, great branching and bud count and good plant habit, and wonderful green throat, so you can see why I would like to get it converted.

H. 'Choo Choo Caboose' (Pickles 1995)

H. 'Kacie Boy' (Durio 1983) 
X H. 'Bonbini' (Pickles 1995)






Reds have become my passion. I would estimate that 80% of my crosses this year have been with red flowers, mostly seedlings. The other 20% would be 15% in the purples and 5% in toothy flowers. One toothy named variety new to me that excited me this year was Jeff Salter's H. 'The Incredible Earl Watts'.

Pollen Parent

Seedling 2042 [(Rockets Bursting in Air X (Camelot Red) X Doug's Caress]

Pod Parent

H. 'Barbara Mandrell' 
(Kirchhoff 2009)

Seedling 5006

Seedling 5023

Seedling 2042 ( picture above) X

H. 'Scarlet Angel' (Petit 2010) (no picture available)

Pollen Parent

Waldrop seedling W2-466 

[(Shirley Anne McCord X Marietta Heartbeat) X Gnashing of Teeth]

Pod Parent

H. 'Bluegrass Memories'

(Preuss 2006)

Seedling 5020

I guess that is all for today boys and girls.

Life is very, very good

Lee

2015 Seedlings Blooming in Greehouse

The 2015 seedlings are beginning to bloom in the greenhouse. For me, this is the most exciting time of the year. Here are three that I have numbered so far.

 Seedling 5013 Lee's Blue Bayou X W2-466 [Shirley Anne McCord X Marietta Heartbeat) X Gnashing of Teeth]

W2-466 is a seedling I acquired from Bill Waldrop

Seedling 5005 [(Marilyn Morss Johnson X Seedling) X Lee's Blue Bayou]

Seedling 5005 (Seedling 2041 [(Camelot Red X Doug's Caress) X Barbara Mandrell]

Life is very, very good.

Lee

Jessie's Birthday

Sara Jessie's 2nd birthday was on Tuesday, April 29. She had a very eventful day. It began by delivering birthday cupcakes to the vet's office where she goes when needed. The staff loves Jessie.

In the afternoon, Jessie got to go to the doggy park for running and play with other dogs. There were probably 8 to 10 dogs there and all came up and gave her a smell and wished her Happy Birthday. One downside, she did lose her ball to one of the other dogs.

Finally, when Jessie came home, she had her cupcake. At first (picture 1) she didn't know what to think of it. After it was quartered (picture 2)  she didn't have a problem gulping it down. Spikey, our little mixed breed, got to celebrate with her and had his own cupcake. He knew exactly what to do with it.

Jessie sitting at the patio table with her cupcake. It should have had 2 candles, but that may have confused her more.

Here she is eyeing the quartered cupcake. When told she could eat it, she gobbled it down. Look at that stare!

Here are some things blooming in the greenhouse this morning.

Seedling 2065 (Desire of Nations X Bluegrass Memories)

Seedling 2081 (Bluegrass Memories X Desire of Nations)

 

Also blooming, our 2014 introduction H. 'Lee's Blue Bayou' 

(t. Lavender Bluebaby X Bluegrass Memories)

Life is very, very good.

 

Lee