Seedlings not used for breeding or registered should always be destroyed in my opinion. You could give extra registered ones to the foodbank sale.

If you are destroying seedlings, though, make sure that it is YOU that destroys them.

Several years ago, we had a landscaping crew in our garden. I was getting rid of some registered daylily cultivars, and also throwing out seedlings. The crew was given the registered cultivars (if they wanted them), but not the seedlings... but I made the mistake of telling the boss that I was getting rid of the seedlings, and he thought that it was okay for his crew to take those, too! And they did! (I had to try to politely explain why this was unacceptable.)

Needless to say, even though I have a little weekly garden help, since then I have been careful to destroy any seedlings myself.

I equate my giving Daylily seedlings to the local community garden with that of a commercial hybridizer selling unbloomed seedlings on the Lily Auction or similar venues. No difference in my mind, only in my case, the benefit goes to more than one person. Iris, now, I am thinking that would be a whollllle different ball game--feeling MUCH more possessive of those already and I just have one Pacific Coast seed that has germinated.

PCNs are precious because they don't bloom here.

Yeah ! we're getting "rooked" on that deal, aren't we Lucy ! Although, I wonder just how much cold they CAN stand?

I'm curious what people think of these four seedlings? Not sure I like any of them, but they do have the virtue of being somewhat different.













The color doesn't show very well on the last one, but the centers of the standards are about as close to green as I've seen on a TB (that doesn't necessarily mean much, most "green" irises look more like dirty yellow to me and I don't buy them)

I like the colors on #3. Unique enough to be set apart, kind of exciting to look at, makes me think of something tropical.

These are seedlings that you don't really like?
I can't imagine what the seedlings that you do like look like!
#3 is my favorite, I like the brown or yellow standards with purple falls. Yours even has a gold edge!
#2 I love the edge on it!

Nice form on the first blue. I like the two tone beard. My only negative on it would be that there are so many light blue iris that it is difficult to tell them apart .

Same thoughts on #2 . Pretty though.

#3 is about the brightest I have seen of this combination.

Also not a fan of green iris.

I love most of your other ones!

I like the last one best, love the colors on 3, and like the form on 1.

Although I love many of your other seedlings, I would have to agree, these are not the best. It's just my opinion...but you asked so here goes:

1. Nice form and beard. The color is pretty. It's just not special or different enough that I would add it to my collection.

2. & 3. Both have lovely colors, and I like the lace on #3, but unless future blossoms have better form I would not be interested in either.

4. I like the form and the color combination it interesting. It's a flower I would admire, but probably not choose to buy.

I think # 2 & 4 are interesting. Then check for other traits increase, branching & number of buds. then think again. ☺

I just passed up Iris #2 and Iris #3. To me, these are color combinations that I've seen many times -- and there isn't anything at first glance that would make me come take a closer look.

Iris #1 is my first choice. First of all, like others have said, the form is wonderful. Second, the shade of blue is just beautiful -- not too light, not too dark -- and a very clean blue. And third -- and most important (to me) is the intriguing shadows of purple at the base of the standards. It's a beautiful contrast -- and makes me want to look closer and look inside the flower.

I like #4 a lot -- but don't like the form as well as #1.

For whatever it's worth...............

Maybe the color on the first one isn't showing well, but it's not blue. It's silvery lavender with plum purple markings at the hafts and at the bases of the standards. There are many lavender irises, of course, but I've never seen anything quite like it.

Could be a color variance on my monitor too, Kent -- either way it's a splendid Iris and I would buy it!!!

They are all exceptional irises. If I had to choose one it would be four. Not necessarily for the green but the green accents the other color. I need that one. Lol

# 4 looks like it could be useful in working toward turquoise. Bonnie, that quality made me wonder if it would catch your eye.

My problem is that I cannot dislike any of them. They all seem to have good color(s), shape, form, etc. I've toyed around several years with hybridizing; and it requires a lot of work, patience, garden space and of course time. With this said #1 & #2 are my picks. Great photos & I know your SDB seedlings #1, #2 & #3 are all keepers, at least in my humble opinion! Very good work!

Yes, Neal, I think seedlings from #4 would range from muddy irises to uniquely colored beauties. Sometimes I would like to see ALL of the seedling blooms from one cross. I would like to see what is considered insufficient in form, color and growth habit by an experienced hybridizer.