NOTES ON HYBRIDIZING

 Helleborus orientalis hybrids are in full bloom now. I found a variegation in one of my daylily varieties. People say, I have to separate the variegation from the “normal” and see if it gets stable. Some point out, it will not be stable, other say, it will be not cold hardy enough. Well, I will split them and we will see.

 First of all, I began to plant rose seedlings from the last year. They spent winter in my rooftop garden, and now they are moved to the test field. There are about 10 more to come. Hems seeds are finally planted into plant boxes. Not all seeds were planted, but about 85% for sure. I elected the most interesting crosses. Another seedling from the cross Penny Lane x Lavender Ice bloomed. Amazing fragrance. And the plant looks really robust. I am not the fan of that pink color, though. But the combination of the very heavy texture of petals and strong fragrance is really striking. Usually, it is the other way round: the thinner the substance, the more fragrance is released. Probably, this one may cope well with heat. This should be tested. 

I am about 3 weeks late to plant the hem seeds, but anyway, I am doing it now.  Some seeds have germinated in the fridge already. They are still ok, that’s good.

 First blooms in my test field: Another seedling bloomed (Penny Lane x Lavender Ice) This year I am enjoying blooming of my Edgeworthia crysantha. The blooms are highly fragrant and attract insects. Last year it had only very few blooms, but now it is looking much better. Unfortunately, edgeworthia is a very slow grower. Maybe it needs more fertilizer?  A couple of conifers in my field: Cryptomeria japonica ‚Green Pearl‘, Pinus ponderosa ‚Tasha‘. A new bed for rootstocks and new rose seedlings is being established.

 Another seedling bloomed: Capricia Renaissance x Golden Celebration. Strong fragrance. Many helleborus hybrids are blooming now in my rooftop garden. More news: hems ‘library’ is almost ready. I need to add only three plants, they will be moved from other beds, which are being renovated. 

My seedlings begin to bloom. First one is here. Parentage: (Claire Marshall x Blue For You) x For Your Eyes Only No persica blotch, but very nice fragrance. Overall, unfortunately, not for the keeping. /52-1/26/

 Added my divided hems to the third row of the hem “library”. The fourth row was prepared ready for more plants to come. This bed will be enlarged from one side. I still have more varieties to add.  Each slot contains 3x plants of one variety (sometimes less, because not everything could be divided due to juvenile age and/or slow increase).