I know all you out there like me who like to try their hand at hybridizing (especially those who live in hot climates) have read that shade will provide a better chance of setting pods in the heat.
Well, this year I starting growing a lot of plants in pots, that thought was in the back of my mind, but the main reason I did it was to grow some plants for the regional which ended up being cancelled. Then I realized how convenient it was to have those pots available for divisions, and duplicates, etc. Having plants in pots gives me much more room for new plants...I think that might have actually been part of the motivation.
Last year I found 'American Freedom' to be a challenge when trying to set pods, and it just so happened when I divided it I potted some fans and placed them in the shade. The original clump today only had two or three pods after many attempts, but I noticed that the potted 'American Freedom' growing in the shade after only a few (why not try it just in case attempts) had several nicely developing pods.
So I will definitely be trying to pot up some more of my selected parent plants this fall and moving them to the shade.
Keep in mind of course, that as in some of my seedling beds too much shade can be a huge hindrance to growth and blooms.
Edited to add:
Just for my own reference and any one who is interested and might need some idea of how much 3 cu. yards are:
using a flat bladed shovel and piling as much fine pine bark as I could with each shovel full, their are 120 shovel fulls in a 3 cu. yard bucket load.
