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Re: [PRIMROSES] [HUGE] World's Largest Hosta Seed List

In a message dated 98-01-04 02:20:23 EST, you write:

<< The only known exception is seed from Hosta ventricosa which is apomictic.
 Also plants from seed reliably taken from the wild in the natural habitat
 may be given the species name. For the second generation the same rules
 hold as for cultivars.

 Hostas are deservedly popular because the plants are easily grown,
 longlived, almost indestructible and nearly always produces fertile seed.
 The latter property is also the reason why cultivar names often are so
 terribly mixed up and plainly wrong.

 I apologize to the experienced Hosta growers who already know this.
 However, my experience is that there is a lot of gardeners which are
 unaware of these facts or even do not care.


 Hubert >>
Someone else is sure to jump in here but since I am up late at night reading
mail list messages I will say something.

Hubert, a whole bunch of us came over to this Primrose/Shadegarden list from a
mail-list specifically handling hosta discussion.  We further had a (still
have) a hosta seed swapping list. We have been contributing information to
each other all fall and winter.
The fact that seeds do not produce plants identical to parents is known to us.
Much of the seed is germinated and inspected for new shape, form, etc.  It is
experimental in nature and provides winter diversion for many gardeners.  All
hope a terrific new creation will pop up in the seed trays!

Some of our group make planned crosses and have programs in progress.  Seed
from some of the mentioned varieties make excellent parent plants for these
programs.

In any of the postings on hosta seed we should have added these caveats.  You
are kind to call attention to this matter.  Yours is information other robins
will find informative.  Hubert, you certainly must know the tribulations of
the long winter season being in Sweden.   What do you do in the winter months?

Claire Peplowski
East Nassau, NY
zone 4 - Berkshire area
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