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Re: Collecting Hosta Seeds??

Butch Ragland writes:

>Hosta seed are not likely to produce anything of any value unless you've
>collected some of the unstable plants. Most will self seed if there is a
>little mulch around the plant but only produce an unimpressive green plant. 
>With all that said, harvest in Oct-Nov when the pod is ripe. Look for a
>sort of black to dark brown winged seed with a little kernel that can be
>felt. Sow under lights in Dec-Jan and plant after frost. About 5-6 years to
>maturity.

Lisa writes:
>
>At 02:23 PM 10/7/97 -0400, CottenClan@aol.com wrote:
>>When the hosta shoot up the beautiful lavender stem of flowers, can I collect
>>seeds from them when they dry?  How and when to do it?  Thanks,
>>Lisa
>

I could not disagree more with the statement that "Hosta seed are not likely
to produce anything of any value..."  While it is true that many of the
hostas currently in cultivation are hybrids and the seed from them will NOT
produce a plant even remotely similar to its parent and the chances of
producing one with any variegation at all is incredibly remote, it is simply
a matter of opinion as to what is of "value". If my customers are any
indication whatsoever, the plain green or blue hostas produced from such
seed are of great value. I sell several hundred of such seedlings every year
for a couple of bucks each. I myself have used these seedlings to great
effect as a groundcover where a mass planting of hostas was desired but the
pocketbook wouldn't stretch to cover that much area with named hybrids.
There have even been a few that have turned out to be better than some of
the hybrids I've spent good money on. 

Variegation is rarely transferred from the modern hybrids to seedlings, but
I often find plants with interesting color nonetheless, including many
shades of green, from pale lime green to deep sea grean, and various shades
of blue. Leaf form and plant size is also quite variable, often with
pleasing results. I have one little cutie that came from H. 'Thomas Hogg'
that turned out to be a tiny yellow thing with frilly little heart shaped
leaves. It's nice enough that people ask me for starts of it, and it's sun
tolerant. Although 99.9% are not worth giving a name, I certainly wouldn't
say they have no value as I've yet to grow one I couldn't find a home for. 

So while I agree with Butch that you would not get anything that resembles
the parent plants, I disagree with discouraging the starting of the seeds.
Just be certain that you do not retain the name of the parent(s) on the
seedlings to avoid confusion.

Grow well,
Amber Hearn

WANT TO TRADE SEEDS? CHECK THIS OUT:

http://wcn.simplenet.com/seeds/sdstrd.htm 
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Whippoorwill Creek Nursery              USDA Z-5
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Kell, IL 62853
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