Hi Char,
I have Carved Initials and it's one of my favorites. I also have a few seedlings that are showing some of the Relief forms but I'm not lucky enough to have the Cristate form yet. It'll be on my list after seeing all of these. I love the Pleated forms too. Yes, I agree that some types are not for some people, but I've yet to find anyone that I just don't like.
I think each daylily bloom is really a unique gift because they can be very different from the first bloom on a scape to the last. I think is what makes our love of this plant so addicting.
I loved your article. I finally understood the difference in the three better than any explanation that I'd seen. The photos that you included helped so very much. I hope you didn't think I was critisizing you because I really had no intention of that, none. Oh me, this is where the written word can look so harsh. Please understand, I really thought this was the best one in this journal. I think you are correct in stating here that it will take time to get all of this down pat, for all of us. I have seen before where a hybridizer will have more than one picture of the plant they are selling. They will show the best and then some of what is more normal or what else they have seeen the plant do. I really like them for doing this instead of just showing the one that is so unique and no others.
For me, the quality of plants have just jumped in color, shape and everything else in the last 2 to 3 years. It's just amazing what all we are seeing. Of course, I'm sure digital cameras have had a hand in us "seeing" so many unusual plants. I love viewing the big growers seedlings and now we have 2 sets of intro a year. This is just mind boggling to me. I don't know how they manage to do everything necessary to have 2 sets of intros in a year. I have also seen some of the most beautiful plants around on this web site. Some from growers like me that are just starting and some from growers that have worked for years but aren't as well known as others. This is where I really started seeing the new "Sculpted" forms. It's the only reason that I even knew about them before I saw your article. In fact, we were discussing this very thing last week. so, you have impecable timing as well as knowledge!
I think the Journal is by far, the best investment for your money around and it's in addtion to having a membership!! So, please, keep up the good work.
Oh yes, you'll know, the picture at the end of your article of some furture seedlings. The yellow one with what I called Canary Feathers when I posted a coment to the original photo on this web site, who grew this one? I can't find the photo on here and I know I saw it here earlier. Thanks and many blessings, Mona