Re: harvesting hosta seed pods was: hostas blooming

Hi Terry--I have the books by Schmid, Aden and Zilis.  Without a doubt, the
Zilis book "The Hosta Handbook" is the best reference book for almost any
level of gardener.  It is excellent.

Zilis says that Francee has "few viable seeds" and Frances Wiliams has "many
seed pods form".

Hank Zumach
Stoddard, WI
----- Original Message -----
From: Terry King <taeking@ENDLESSHEALTH.COM>
To: <shadegardens@MAELSTROM.STJOHNS.EDU>
Sent: Sunday, October 21, 2001 1:21 PM
Subject: Re: [SG] harvesting hosta seed pods was: hostas blooming


> Thanks Paul,
>
> I just went out and checked on the pods and they were just starting to
split
> (they were intact just a day or so ago) so I cut the scape and brought it
> in.  The seeds are black.
>
> Is Frances William self fertile?  My other hostas that bloomed are Silver
> Crown, Francee and Big Daddy.  The Silver Crown is closest to F.W. but
> Francee bloomed the longest and with the most flowers.  None of the others
> produced pods.
>
> All the hosta books I've seen for sale look like good books.  Is there any
> one in particular that is recommeded for a beginner with hostas?
>
> Terry
> E. Wa. zone 4
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: PRIMROSES [s*@MAELSTROM.STJOHNS.EDU]On Behalf Of
> > Paul Henjum
> > Sent: Saturday, October 20, 2001 11:40 PM
> > To: shadegardens@MAELSTROM.STJOHNS.EDU
> > Subject: Re: [SG] harvesting hosta seed pods was: hostas blooming
> >
> >
> > Most Hosta seeds are ripe after 90 days fro pollination, since 'Frances
> > Williams' blooms in late spring the seeds can be collected now if they
are
> > still in green pods.  Like Marge says-they are black when
> > ripe-you can check
> > one of the pods and see if the seeds are black-if so they should
> > be safe to
> > collect.  If they are still a little white then its not time to
> > collect yet.
> >
> > What I do is collect the scapes by cutting just below the last
> > seed pod and
> > if they are green I put the in a large box in a well ventilated
> > area and let
> > them dry-the pods will split open when the seeds are fully ripe and dry
> > enough for safe and easy handling.
> >
> > The seeds can be then collected and dried for a week or two under dry
> > conditions out of direct sunlight and then sown or stored.
> >
> > If stored at room temp they should maintain good viability for a
> > year or so.
> > If stored in the fridge you should have good viability for three
> > years and if
> > stored in the freezer 5 or more years.
> >
> > Hosta can be started inside under 24 hours of light with very good
> > results-the plants will germinate in 7-25 days at F. 70. They are
> > one of the
> > easier plants to grow all winter and plant out in the spring.  The
foliage
> > does not become overly large and leggy like many plants do when started
> > inside and grown under week light for a long time.
> >
> >
> > 'Frances William' seeds produce large green leafed plants, most will be
> > smaller though than "Frances Williams' if you like large interesting
> > leaves-add Hosta 'Montana' to your bed with the 'Frances Williams'- they
> > bloom around the same time and the offspring from the cross of
> > the two can be
> > very attractive landscape plants -- with large rounded leaves and
> > attractive
> > veins.
> >
> > Paul
> >
>
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