Thanks, Dave!

17 years ago

It's times like this that I remember why I love gardening... it's the people!

A couple of weeks ago, I was contacted by Dave (davej_07), who told me that he wanted to share with me, because I reminded him of himself a few years ago (only not the female part, he clarified). He offered to send some seedlings that he grew, and after some exchange, also stated that he was sending some other plants too. And he wouldn't take money for them!

I was THRILLED when I opened the package & took out three beautiful streaked seedlings, and two green (one looks like it might be blue). Plus, there were three gorgeous eyes of Wide Brim, a huge division of Metallica, A gorgeous eye of Ice Age Trail, Heart and Soul, Red October. There was also an eye of Snow Cap that he said wouldn't grow for him, so if I can't get it to do anything, I can sacrifice it to the Hosta gods (his words).

The root systems were glorious! Dave even sent labels with all of the plants! My acquisitions for the year were winding down, so I had to hurry up and prepare a bed once he told me they were coming.

His only condition is that I send him photos (of the seedlings) and that I return the favor to another hosta-lover as my collection grows.

I'm waiting for a nice sunny day so I can take photos.

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Comments (9)

Teresa_MN
17 years ago
No photos of the new acquisitions?
ptilda
Original Author
17 years ago
Sorry, teresa, I just got them into the ground tonight after soaking them for a day-and-a-half. Tomorrow is opening of Le Nozze di Figaro, so I might not be able to take photos until later in the week. I'll do what I can to get them posted.
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davej_07
17 years ago
Your words are too kind:) I only did what another hosta lover did for me when I first started down this path. I think all too often we all get caught up in the how to's and why not's and we forget that in the end we all have the same passion for gardening. Enjoy your Hostas Priscilla:)

Davej_07
ptilda
Original Author
17 years ago
Here are the photos as promised. Continued apologies for the poor photo quality on my phone.

Heart and Soul:

Wide Brim (1 of 3 eyes):

Snow Cap:

Metallica:

Red October:

Ice Age Trail (glare on the leaves makes the streaks difficult to see, and they've apparently darkened some as it's later in the season, but there is still some gorgeous, definite streaking):

Streaked Seedling #1:

Streaked Seedling #2:

Streaked Seedling #3:

Green (blue?) Seedling #1:

Green (blue?) Seedling #2:
alyciaadamo
17 years ago
Those look awesome.
ptilda
Original Author
17 years ago
Now I have to learn how to breed hostas. I haven't done anything past harvesting & planting some seeds. Right now, I'm just enjoying watching the growth of the ones that I have.
davej_07
17 years ago
The streaker seedlings should set flower scapes next year. Collect the seeds after the pods dry out but before they open. let them dry and open in an envelope.(Keep the seed pods from each plant separate so you know the parent plant of each)
Start the seeds in sterile soil around christmas time. I use growlamps in my basement. The anticipation is incredible waiting to see what you may get. Ive had alot of 'nothing special' seedlings, but I have a few that Ive been watching for a few years. If they continue to mature the way they are I may register my first hostas in the next year or two.

Dave
Janice
17 years ago
Oh, I am jealous! I'd love to try doing that with a streaker!

Dave, if you ever have any more streaker seedlings you're looking
to part with, next year-- please, keep me in mind!!!

How exciting!!! I posted on your exchange thread, but not soon enough!! :o)
Never, ever posted on that thread before!

I've never even had a seedling show up in my garden!!! What in the world
am I doing wrong???
ptilda
Original Author
17 years ago
hey_j, I get some seedlings, but nothing special either. I think that my weeding generally disrupts them. My seedlings usually go into a "general" perennial area as NOID's.

I hope to have seeds from these that I can share soon. If you remind me next fall, I'll be happy to send some to you.