Has anyone here grown hostas from seed. If so how long till gemination; what have your results been; any references you'd recommend?

I have tried, but never got anything really different. I am too lazy to get out there and and collect the pollen so I've just tried the open pollenated seeds. I did have a nice surprise this spring from some seeds that I wintersowed from Fickle Blue Genes.

.

I am thinking of just doing the open pollinated seeds. Doesn't cost anything to give it a try.

Jewell,

I have a yellow seedling that I noticed 2 years ago. I've left it alone and it's doing great! Doesn't look like it's going to get very big, but it's a pretty little yellow one with rippled edges.

Rose

Rippled edges with the little color sounds like a keeper to me.

Jewell, the vast majority of any seedlings will be plain Jane greenies. However, you CAN get interesting surprises. I have a few seedlings that have developed margins including one from 'Last Dance' that looks just like a sibling to LD - 'Dance With Me'. I've named it after a granddaughter. My recent pics are on my other computer but I'll add some seedling pics later. I also have a couple of yellow seedlings that I'm keeping and some from 'Lakeside Cranberry Relish' with nice red legs. You need space to grow them (or a friend to grow them for you) and you need patience because one seedling that I liked a LOT last year, I don't much like this year. They can change a lot each year in the first few years. (Don't name them for family or anyone special until you are sure).

As far as germination, I've found that most germinate in a week or so, sometimes sooner. I've usually started mine after Christmas, but after seeing some seedlings others had germinated earlier I think I may try them earlier as well. All of mine have been open pollinated as well.

I collected Empress Wu seeds last year cause I heard they have viable seed pods and would grow little Empress Wu's -- forgot to plant them and forgot to freeze them -- planted them this spring.... AND... nothing! LOL!

Christine - try again, but don't expect little Empress Wus. Most seeds will not come true to the parent plant. Most will be plain Jane green seedlings and you may have to grow them for 5 or so years to see what they really look like. But you MIGHT get an interesting seedling. You don't know if you don't try. Just don't make a judgement based on 2 year's growth. It might look entirely different in the third year.

Ann thanks for the info. I will be saving some seed to experiment with.

My Fickle Blue Genes has seed pods again! Might have some more little streaked hostas next spring!

Here's a better picture of my Fickle Blue Genes seedling! Looks like it's going to be a nice streaked hosta!

Yippeee!!! He looks great!

Love that seedling.

I have a few seedlings that show promise.

I'm calling this one 'Dancing With Leila' because it looks just like 'Dance With Me'. It's an OP seedling from 'Last Dance' of the same family. Leila is one of my granddaughters.



'Nolan On Ice' is an OP seedling from 'Outhouse Delight' and emerges pure white like its mom. This year the slugs were really bad while I was away in early July and it's been eaten. Is quite a slow grower and about 4-5 years old.


A nice yellow seedling from 'Touch of Class' that is showing promise. About 3-4 years old.


A nice blue from 'Deja Blu'. Also 3-4 years old.

A vigorous seedling from 'Little Red Rooster'. A few years old. Still watching this one. The legs are not quite as red as the parent, but I like its habit so far.


A sport of the above seedling - much slower grower. Time will tell whether it will amount to anything.


And a cautionary note. I liked this one so much last year that I gave it a spot in the garden and named it. This year, I don't like it much at all (though it did bloom) and it's back to being called Seedling-Warwick Curtsey. Wonder what it will look like next year.
2012


same seedling 2013


Finally, here is a Weedling I rather like. It MAY be from 'Lakeside Zinger'.

"Weedling"! I love that...I have lots of those! The 'Touch of Class' seedling is very bright! Does it get a lot of sun? You have some really nice ones, Ann. It's a nice bonus to get free beauties now and then!

Hi Rose,

The TOC seedling is in a spot where it gets some morning sun from the east, but it's maybe 12' north of a large oak tree; so not for too long.

I've got a few smaller seedlings. Chris from Hallson sent me some seed from 'Neat Splash' and I've got 2 streaked seedlings, one more vigorous than the other. And I've got a few, mostly from 'Lakeside Cranberry Relish' that have nice red legs. Some are still in styrofoam cups on my deck. I'm gradually getting others planted into a nursery bed. I have pics of some of them but on my other computer.

'Dancing With Leila'..

Susan your avatar cracks me up everytime I see it!!!

Shouldn't that be "quacks" me up? Ducking and running!