Frank,

I would buy a smaller number of a few different cultivars in hopes to get something 'nice'. 'Nice' being something hopefully with similar characteristics.

With a Single white w stripe, maybe more chances.

If you choose a nice double w 2 colors in it, then you stand a chance of more variety of characteristics.

This is all personal preference when it comes to colors and bloom type.

If you are going to grow a 100 seedlings or so to blooming age. Taking in space, time, medium,etc.. A mix of seed cultivars may be more desired?

Rick

Rick-

Thanks for thinking for me...I need that. You mentioned things that never occurred to me.

I guess variety is the spice of life. I will ask Mr. Ko to send me seeds for a few different varieties.

Thanks again,

Frank

Janet-

I am so happy that you shared your Adenium-from-seed experience. In the coming months I do plan on germinating some of special, hand-pollinated seeds from Mr. Ko's crosses. Maybe I will have a better chance of growing some beautiful flowering plants, just as you did. I too, like surprises. I would rather cut my losses by growing quality seeds from named crosses. Mr. Ko will get my order.

Wishing you continued success and more happy surprises.

Many thanks,

Frank

When I first started growing these Adeniums. Two people whom had been growing them close by had said to me " Bet we know what you will end up getting, 'Pink' ". This is what they had experienced and was quite true. In some cases w dishonest sellers it still could be.

With all of the seed grown trees that I have started and have had bloom to date. I have had 2 which you could call Pink.

The other I do not have a photo of on this device. It is a dark Pink w white throat.

These next photo's will show the "Pod parent bloom" and next one my seed grown tree's bloom. "Double Black Madonna"

My Seedling of this:

First Photo is of the same Pod Parent bloom above. Dbl.BM

"Have A Dream Most Beautiful"

My seedling of Pod Parent bloom above:

"Excellent Lover"

My seedling from seed of above Pod Parent:

I am quite happy with what has resulted with these. I think going into growing these, knowing the possibilities or lack there of. Nothing is expected, so there is no reason to be disappointed.

Just for the sake of showing just how we cannot take a first bloom on a tree to be the same in the next blooming cycle.

This is my "Triple Twilight" tree's bloom in the first year (grafted tree).

This next photo is a bloom from same tree this year.

Just shows how unique and surprising at the same time. It also shows just how far the hybridizers of these have come.

Rick

Rick-

Thanks for the montage, the helpful suggestions, and insightful explanations. The differences between the parents and progeny is amazing to see. I will go into the growing of Adenium from seed with very few expectations. I like surprises, and maybe I will get lucky.

Frank

You could very well do that, Frank. I hope you do.

look at the bloom Pagan got from one of the plants started from M. Dimmitt's seeds. It produced a magical bloom and one which Mark himself commented on being first ever so dark for that cultivar. Kudos to Pagan.

I feel that we will see better blooms from these crosses.

Rinoa used to work with Ko. Many of the blooms when you look are the same.

Rick

I wish I would've started all this seed sowing, experimenting, braiding, stem-weaving, tower-training Adenium, years ago when I had more patience, and a longer attention span. :))

Frank

Reading and following through this old thread...

Getting ready to place a seed order (I think)...

Doing my homework, research and gearing up to dive into the pool...

I understand genetics and know that there is no guarantee that offspring will look like the parents...

But from the comments above, does this mean that folks who order seeds from here (KO) are generally not getting any plants with flowers that look like those in the photos? If you order 15 Noble Concubine seeds, about how many are you getting that when grown out, look like the Noble Concubine in the photo? I'm starting to learn that it is a fluke/surprise when one actually does look like what you ordered.

So is it a total waste to order seeds of doubles and triples? Rarely happens that it develops into a plant with a double/triple?

Is that why so many folks here seem to have moved toward grafting?

Thanks! I appreciate the help, info and advice!

Carol in Jacksonville (Florida)

Oh yeah, I'm getting educated. This thread says it very well.

Have seeds from Mr. Ko (and maybe others) become any more reliable than they were just a few very short years ago? Or are there still many (most?) that come up pink?

As I read more, I learned more. For the benefit of others, here is Mr. Ko's disclaimer which can be found around the middle of this page:

"About
Seeds:

I
use hand pollinate, so it has low possibility (20%-30%)
to grow into pink adenium. Most of them have characters of their parents.
The red, white and whit with red border adenium are more stable.
Although seed is not guaranteed to look exactly like the parent plant, some
will look exactly like the parent, while others may have only certain characteristics
in common with the parent. This is how new varieties are created.
It needs time and luck to produce the new kinds which are better than their
parents."

Carol

I saw some stats. or perhaps remembered stuff from a science class [section on genetics] or something from a stat class that you might get 2-6 look-alikes were you to plant 100 seeds. So when we buy 10 [ko gives you 15] IF you get one look alike you should feel fortunate. FACTOR in his disclaimer and those are pretty good odds, if you sprout all 15 and wait for them to bloom. The critters make great gifts ….

bragu, I know I'm playing the lottery. (And funny enough, I do not play the Florida lottery).

The truth is, it's the crazy caudex that I admire. Double flowers would be gravy. :)

Ya, great gifts!

Carol