I just started hybridizing a week ago and two of the parents that I hoped to use had there first bloom today: Taos and North Wind Dancer. Unfortunately there was nothing exciting to cross with either.

Edward

Frost will only kill what it actually lays on unless it is what is called a "killing frost" which has sustained freezing temps with it. Just cover the pod with a baggie or sock for the first few frosts. You can also cut the scape and put it in sugar water if the pod is near ripening. It is worth a try if you have something good!

I'd be crossing my few blooms but it's just too hot--over 90 every day. It'd be wasted effort. We're due for a cold front --YIPPEEEE!!!-- and I'll enjoy the rain one drop at a time before I grab my tweezers and see what's in rebloom. :)

Pretty much the weather dictates when I stop... I just can't do it in 90 degree weather! Too darn hot. Besides, if I kept going I would have like 1000 seeds... what in tarnation would I do with them all? Not enough room here!

When the flowers that I want to work with are done...Last Snowflake should bloom for me pretty soon, but I'll freeze that pollen and use it next year.

Edward, freeze that pollen from those you want to use! Then, you can just whip it out when something you want to use it on is open. Plus, if you have a pollen stash in the freezer, you can have fun this winter thinking about your crosses...and you'll be able to do then when it's convenient for you!

Wow, berrytea4me, Sept 15th is much too early! We'll still be running the air conditioners here...I think VA might be calling you (hehe).

We finally cooled down a bit (were in 95-100 degrees last week), got a little rain too. I thought my daylilies were going to be done today with the exception of "Sears Tower" which is finally sending up 2 scapes, BUT I found some more 1st time scapes coming. Seems my MLa season bloomers will be Aug/Sept in this climate though it is very hard to tell since everything came from different zones in the spring and their bloom cycles are all mixed up this year.
Mariachi, Prairie Tornado, and Carnival Flair look like I may actually see their faces this year after all. At least I might be able to collect pollen for next year.

And I confess...still making a few impulsive crosses.

Edward, I agree with gonegardening...I have a whole collection of pollen in the freezer for next year. When is your avg killing frost?

okbt, 15 Sept is our avg first KILLING frost. We frequently have a few lighter frosts before that. Good to know about covering the pods with bags though.

Petalpatsy, fairysoapgirl, I had to quit for a few days when it was hot like that too. I went out really early in the morning and could make a few crosses if the pollen was ripened but sometimes it just doesn't cooperate. Frozen pollen came out on a few days too.

I'm already going through daylily withdrawals.

Our first frost is about October 15-20. I couldn't find any reference to first killing frost. The temperatures here are very much moderated by the ocean. BTW, Heavenly Angel Ice is blooming today and I had my sister-inlaw use the pollen on Thorhalla.