I'm in northern Virginia zone 6B (near DC). I start my seeds inside under lights and in a sunny picture window and move them onto the glassed in porch when temperatures won't be too low then into the garden beds starting some time in April.

The last two years, I've been starting them almost a month earlier than I used to - end of January, beginning of February now. Last year, for the first time ever, I saw bloom on a newly planted seedling. This year, so far, I'm going to see it on four (out of 450 or so seedlings). Since we have several more months until frost, maybe there will be more. This adds up to 6 to 7 months from seed start to bloom.

For those of you who hybridize much further south, is that a normal amount of time to see some things bloom from seed?

I usually have a few that bloom [TX] in less than a year after planting seeds but the vast majority take over a year. And a few that bloom never to be seen again after giving it all

I also get some that bloom in seven or eight months, but a year is more the normal for me.

I don't know if it was caused by global warming but I has a seedling bloom in 99 days. The seeds were purchased on the LA from a grower in Canada. The sprouted seed was planted in a solo cup on 12/29/2019, planted in the ground on 2/7 2020, and bloomed on 4/7/2020. I don 't see how such a tiny plant could produce such a large bloom 5.5".

Ripples and Reflections X Absolutely Stellar

The seedling that first bloomed on July 27 at 6-7 months of age is sending up a rebloom scape!!!

Now I know for sure the world is going to end.

Vanilla Stella x Northwood Green Eyed Brat

It is a nice one, too

You have to like the potential of that! Bloom and rebloom before it's first birthday! And it looks delightful to boot. The way things are going, you'll have this registered by October and on your site for sale by Christmas???