Re: define stable?

At 08:47 PM 6/10/99 -0700, Cherryl Nelson wrote:
I have a streaked sport from f. Aureomarginata this is its second year. Does stable mean it does not revert back to parent or that the streaks of green are always in same spot year  after year? b*@tdsnet.com

Cherryl Luv .."stable hostas" generally speaking, might be defined as those which fall onto the Benedict Cross at points North (greens including blues); South (yellows); West (medio variegated); and East (marginal variegation).  The "unstable" types are placed in the very center of the Wheel, and are called "striated leaf hostas" having streaks & splashes of white/yellow running through an all green leaf.  The streak factor, taken from striated seedling perspectives ..reverts to the stable forms mentioned above in the following order of priority: 1) ..most of them sprout and go all green; and generally speaking, these do not revert back to striated 2)..marginal variegation revertion is the next most popular revertion and 3).. medio variegation is the hardest to come by ..taking years of selection, bud cutting isolation and so on.

In answer to your question ..year to year changes of a striated hosta is not a measurable factor ..since all hostas change from year to year and by maturity and by age.  The only sure way of knowing what you will get next year, is to select that leaf which you want to see in a whole plant next year, do a bud cutting and voila ..you will have it.

just some thoughts & hope this helps with your evaluations

/WiN = William Nash

ps... keep this in mind ..the 4 points of the original Benedict Cross concept, are STABLE FACTORS; but then, even these can change from year to year & age of plant.  If you see a particular leaf you really like, cut out that leaf-bud/eye, found directly under that leaf stem, at to crown attachment point, and cut this with some roots attached ..normally done in August and this, should do the trick for you re: next year's results. 
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