My Seedlings Today

[Rebecca]

Thought some of you might be interested in seeing what my seedlings look like today. These are something like 18 months old now and a couple are doing very well, with 5 leaves, while the others only have 3 or 4. That's the Clivia seedlings in the back, the dark green ones.


Rebecca


Cross was Miverva X White Christmas

[Ann B.]

Rebecca,

I was trying to respond to this earlier when we lost power, so I will try again....

Your babies look strong and healthy. In another year, some of them will bloom, and I can't wait to see those.

As I look at them, I recall what you told me a long time ago about bulbs pulling themselves down into the soil. Well, guess what?!?!?! My community pots of two year olds did just that. I don't know if it is the heat, the drought or the combination of both, but I can't see the neck of the bulbs anymore, and I KNOW that I did not plant them that way.

This year, I'm going to take more pictures of my seedlings and keep taking pictures as time goes by...

Curious, huh?

Anyway, Nice babies that you have there. Sorry that I lost the earlier post...

[Rebecca]

Ann,

there for awhile I was lossing posts right and left. I tried a different mouse, didn't help; I cleaned both of the ones I had and that didin't help. I went into W-M yeaterday and got their cheapest mouse and surprise! everything is working so much beter. Soon as I can though, I will go back and get the more expensive, scrolling mouse that I really wanted, but the extra 3 bucks was just that, and something I didn't have.

I am quite pleased with my babies. Today is "Messenger" day and tomorrow they will get a dose of my special potion fertilizer (a combination of a little of everything, including Superthrive and Fish Emulsion). Makes the grow and keeps em happy. Happy plants bloom! I am wondering though if I sould let them go dormant this fall/winter or just keep on doing what I've been doing and let them decide what to do.


Rebecca

[Ann B.]

Rebecca,

I have let the leaves overwinter, but without sufficient light, they start looking sort of pale and get weak and aged looking.

Keep in mind that our winters are some what short. The first frost is usually around Thanksgiving, and often I will prolong the lives of the leaves by leaving them outside and covering them with a blanket. It just depend on how cold the forecasted frost is.

This gives me until mid December to bring them into a protected area. Obviously, if left outside during that first frost WITHOUT protection, the leaves will melt, then dry up and are easily removed.

The Johnsonii and Apple Blossom that were in the ground would simply lose those leaves on the first frost. The base of the leaves will sometimes continue to grow just a little only to be bitten back again and go completely dormant.

The 'babies' that I left outside with no protection went dormant. They had lost most of their labels, so until I saw new growth, I didn't know which ones were still alive. I was amazed at how many did make it. I left a couple of flats outside. I didn't realize they were amaryllis. There were absolutely no labels.

For the most part, I agree that they do not need dormancy, but I have noticed that those that I brought inside did not have the pretty new leaves that spring up after a bloom.

Rebecca, if you are seriously thinking about bringing these inside before winter hits, you may want to think about potting more than one in deep pots. That way it wouldn't take so much space in your basement.

Just a thought...

[Rebecca]

Ann,

I thought about putting 2 or 3 of the seedling in 1-gallon pots when I re-potted this spring, but needed the pots for the dayl;ilies and that is still the case, plus having enough potting soil to go around. If I am not able to get all of this year's daylily babies in the ground the left overs will have to go into 1-gallon pots as they probably wouldn't survive in the 4-inch pots they are in. This does remind me that I do need to go by the landscaping center to see if they've managed to save me any pots yet.

If I can ever get into my Tinker's Auction account I will start listing some of my other daylilies that I've been trying to keep, and may also put the Clivia seedlings and some of the amaryllis seedlings there as well. I am going to have to start selling off plants, I don't have a choice.

Back on track; I'm not too worried about the space the amaryllis seedlings will take potted as they are right now. Once I get the basement cleaned up, move a few things around and possibly take another set of shelves down I should have plenty of room for everything, including the plants that I normally would be keeping upstairs. What doesn't fit in a window will go down to the basement.

It will all work out. (If I say that enough times, will I finally believe it?)


Rebecca

[haweha]

Perhaps you can make up your mind to install one high pressure metal halogen discharge lamp (400Watts) in your basement?

You will have 2 sq. meters fully illuminated for seedlings on-hand with this equipment, and the approximate monthly charges for that is 35 $ (supposed that the lamp is burning 16 h per day and the energy related electric power costs is 0.15$/kWh).

[Ann B.]

I have been observing my little 'babies', in particular the Papilio and Emerald seedlings, and I have noticed that the ones that are getting the stronger sunlight in the greenhouse not only dry out faster but do not have the deep green leaves of the ones that are somewhat shadowed by the foliage of larger cuttings/plants.

For this reason, I would like to move them to the lower shelves in the greenhouse, but my fear is that this makes them more readily accessed by slugs and other critters.

Whatever the case, I do believe they need just a little bit less light and/or a little less heat, so I will figure out something.

Still, I am pleased with their progress. They are growing. The leaves are getting bigger, but the tiny bulbs are growing even more.

I just can't help but think that the darker green and shinier leaves mean they are happier and healthier, so I will focus on that.

Hans, I looked for the specific formulation of fertilizer that you suggested, but I have not been able to find it, so it may be a case of 'make your own'.

Thanks!

[haweha]

One brand was assigned as "Phostrogen" elsewhere, and it was written that this fertilzer be consisting of exactly the recommended relationship of macronutrients 14-10-27 +Magnesium.

On the other hand, there is much matters sold under the collecting name Phostrogen :rolleyes:

[Ann B.]

Hans, Thanks!

I cannot find this combination in the states very easily or so it seems.

I can find the 14-10 or close enough, but the potassium level of 27 seems to be difficult in combination with the 14-10. The magnesium is easy enough to add, but the potassium is what I don't know how to increase.

It seems that most of the fertilizer on the market is now geared toward 'blooms', thus a high middle number.

I won't give up and will keep looking.

[Rebecca]

The other day when checking the seedlings to see who still needed water after a big storm I noticed at least one had it's 7th. leaf coming on. To me, 7 leaves means possible BLOOM! I didn't/couldn't see where the bulb had increased all that much, but then I can't see what's happening under the soil. For sure some of these need to go into 1 gallon pots. Unfortunately, they will have to wait awhile longer.

It would be such a hoot if even one of these babies would bloom this winter, although I am sure it would be a small bloom and probably just one, but still. . . . I'm dying to see how they turn out and if the pollen parent (a white) has any influence.

I haven't checked them all, most do have 5 nice leaves, but several are in a period of active growth. which is a good thing since they've just been "sitting there" for a long spell.

On an aside, all of the Clivia seedlings have recovered from getting slightly scorched when they first went out and I can now offer them for sale on Tinker's Auction. Tink's is getting a nice group of State Side Clivia members, so hopefully there will be some interest in these miniatum seedlings.

Even my mature Clivias are coming along after being divided and re-potted. They should be in a better mix, but through careful watering, they should be okay until I can re-pot them into the proper medium.


Got a start on cleaning the basement last week and moved the "new" rack down that will probably hold all of the cacti and succulents and whatever else I can fit on it, still need to re-assemble it though! Trying to reconfigure the entire growing area is posing it's problems, but none that can't be overcome. Brought the twin Weeping Figs up to the livingroom and it is having a tantrum by dropping leaves. I may end up having to put the poor dear back into the basement.

The mature Hibiscus trees haven't regained the height they had, but all of the seedlings are just about as tall as they were when I took them out. Not a single sign of a bud on them though.

Back on track: Most of the mature Amaryllis bulbs that were doing well are still doing well, any that had developed rot will be discarded. Most are still just sitting on the shelf in the shade and I could probably save a couple of the bigger bulbs, just don't know that I really have the patience to mess with it. Except maybe with 'Elvas'. Perhaps I will give everything a good thorough check up today when I go out to clean up my potting area.

Still so much to be done around here. . . . always so much to be done during the growing season!


Rebecca

[Rebecca]

Came across another seedling with 7 leaves, actually it's getting its' eighth leaf! I sure hope this means I might soon see blooms!

On the mature bulb front, H papilo is still showing just the fife leaves on each of the three bulbs in the pot. Hope it doesn't go to sulking when time comes for them all to come inside for the winter - won't really be that long before time for that to happen now.

Took a close look at all of the older bulbs that had developed basal plate rot and found a few that are actually trying to put out new roots. Mind you these are just laying on the shelf in the shade so I was surprised to see them trying to do anything. 'Elvas' on the other hand is a complete loss as well as most of the others.

At least the seedlings are doing really well!



Rebecca

[Rebecca]

I keep a pretty close watch on my seedlings and most are doing exceptionally well. The few that are still in community pots ought to be moved into their own pots now, unfortunately they will have to wait. All the one in individule pots are doing great with anywhere from 5 to 8 leafes each and one of the 5 leaf babies is already sending out pups, can you imagine. The main bulb can't be much bigger than a quarter, maybe a half-dollar and it's seend up pups! I really am beginning to think I might see some first bloom from them this winter and I am thrilled.

Won't be long now until they all have to come inside and I still haven't started on the basement and don't know why I keep putting it off!

Nothing exciting happenig here, but I did want to share about the baby making babies!


Rebecca

[Ann B.]

Rebecca,

I found a nickle sized one with a pup. I was in awe. I think that I posted a pic of it on one of the threads. At first, the mama dropped her leaves. The pup started growing tiny leaves, then the Mama started growing her leaves again.

It is amazing to see such a tiny bulb multiplying. It was only a year old. I was thinking this afternoon that I should start keeping records of which multiply quickly, etc. etc. etc. so that I could start building a database of knowledge for hybridizing purposes.

I have two pots of amaryllis that are bursting at the seems (lop sided pots) because they multiplied so fast. Blossom Peacock is definitely a multiplier. Several others do this also, but I've never really tracked it. I need to... It makes a difference on how big a pot and how much space in the garden.

[Rebecca]

I'm gonna be a grandma!! Twice, even!!

Two of my Minerva X White Christmas seedlings have buds pushing their way up. One is ouy nearly half and the other is just peeking. I've gotten into the habit of checking when I go down to see if anyone needs to be water and I was checking the 6 plants on a separate stand, all with multiple pups I might add, when I spotted the first one. Well I moved a few others around on the other stand so I could get the soon to be a maiden bloomer closer to the lights, then I went to take another look. There was only one left that hadn't put up new growth yet, but was peaking so I picked it up for a closer look and sure enough one of those green tips showing is from the side and is thicker and has the notch. I am thrilled as can be! Just think in a few more weeks I'll have maiden blooms on my first amaryllis babies (probably be my last the way things are goring). (Becca doest the dance of the maiden blooms!)

Most of the others are either in a semi-resting state (pups are active, but the mother bulb has only one or two leaves, or have started new growth and have anywhere from 4 to 7 leaves well up. There is one with 5-7 leaves just about an inch tall.

If it were warmer at night I'd put them all out into the cold frame and try to get as many re-potted as I could.

I am wondering how much it would cost to buy pro-Mix on line and have it shipped. Not that I can do that right now, but it may be the only way for me to get the type of potting mix I want to use for them. Has anyone here purchased potting mix on line and had it shipped?

Rebecca

[Ann B.]

Oh, WoW!!!

Congratulations, Rebecca! You are definitely doing something right!

I don't think I would buy Pro-Mix online. Your best bet is to buy a big bale of processed peat moss and amend it with perlite and vermiculite if you can get it. Both Perlite and Vermiculite are very light in weight compared to Pro-Mix.

Oh, Gee! I am so, so excited, and do you have your camera ready?

[Rebecca]

Yes! The camera is working beautifully and with these blooming with warm weather I'll be able to take them outside to get really good images!

I have all the back doors open today, even the basement door to let in some really nice fresh air. The basement needs it and the plants will all appreciate it I am sure. Maybe all the bugs will decide togo outside too! It's white fly season in the basement and too soon to take the Lantan out! Bummer.

I will have to keep a close watch on the babies now and possibly bring them upstairs when they get far enough along. Of course now I will be watching all the others like a hawk,looking for bloom stems to come up from them, even though they are leafing out.

Getting large sized bags of siol home are a problem, but one I must find a solution to and soon.

Color me, tickled pink!

Rebecca

[Rebecca]

The first seedling to bloom, hereafter called #1, is going to be a white! I was thinking so when I didn't see any blush or tinting of color on the stem or the bracts covering the buds. #2 does have this color tint.

Anyway, looks like maybe tomorrow or the next day the frist of 3 buds will be open and possibly the first 2. At first I thought they were going to be green! So I moved them into the livingroom, same side of the house, but no building obstructing the light, and they are white today, at least the reverse of the sepals are white!

Isn't this just the most wonderful sight! Wish more of them were going to bloom, but 2 is a good start and if I get really lucky more may bloom this summer.


Rebecca

[Ann B.]

Rebecca!

It is going to be beautiful! Aren't you excited?!??!

Way to go! Now, I can't wait until tomorrow or the next day. It should open by then, shouldn't it?

We had some much needed rain this afternoon (bad thunderstorms), so when I came home to see what dalilies were opened, well, you know?!?! They were pretty much washed out.

It doesn't look like any of my amaryllis seedlings will bloom this year, but they have grown too big for their pots and are overcrowded. The bigger ones will go in the ground sometime this summer.

I also need to do the same with my daylilies.

Love ya! Can't wait to see!

[Rebecca]

TA DA!

[Rebecca]

This one is a bit closer, too bad I didn't have a better place to set it , oh well, all y'all gonna be lookin at the bloom anyway!
Can't wait to see the second one bloom, it's going to be different from the first one going by the color on the bracts covering the buds.

Rebecca

[Ann B.]

Rebecca!

It is lovely!!!!

Do you suspect that it will lose some of those red markings? My whites tend to do that, and it varies.

Sometimes, they do have the markings, and sometimes, they don't.

Congratulations on your first seedling bloom!

Way to GO!

[Rebecca]

Ann,

I am not sure what it will dopas the bulb matures. The markings seem rather deep to me, so I am hoping they intensify and become more even as the bulb matures, like daylily bloom often do, the blooms get better as the plant matures. Guess we'll just have to wait and see.

I am having a bit of a problem typing, my left hand, er, the fingers are not wanting to work right, especially the first two. They seem to have their wires crossed. Weird and very odd feeling.

Rebecca

[Ann B.]

I like the ones with little red 'eye lashes' in the eye!

You never know with these beauties!

[Rebecca]

and it is nothing like the first one. It's "dream-cicle" orange and white with a green throat. Only two buds, but I am not complaining! Color should be more saturated the next time it blooms. I really like the white star pattern in the "eye" area. I need to find an image of 'Minerva' and do a side by side. Oh! this one also has extra petaloids.

[Rebecca]

I tried to get an image of both the seedlings together, but w/o taking them outside. Of course my camera wouldn't give me just fill flash so I had to do a lot of manipulation to get one image that was half way decent. Still not all that great, but this gives you an idea of what they both look like.

Rebecca

[Rebecca]

Here's a straight on shot that shows the star pattern and the extra petaloids.

I'm quite pleased with both of them. Now to come up with a couple of good names for them, besides seedling #1 and seedling # 2!

Rebecca

[Ann B.]

Oh! Rebecca!

I do really like that last one, and it sort of looks familiar.

Go figure! Hopefully, some of mine will look that good and be hardy enough for my garden.

You did GOOD! Just goes to show you that it is worth the effort to grow these from seed, doesn't it?

Way to GO!

[Rebecca]

Ann,

This one looks a lot like it's mother, 'Minerva', definitely where the white star comes from. Have to see what it does next time it blooms. I am sure the seedlings color would have been better if it had had better lighting while it was developing. It will be interesting to see if any of the others bloom this summer and have better color.

Rebecca