Peter,
Hybridizers are dreamers so we wish for the things that don't already exist. The good news is that red and purple are dominant to green so that I should get reds and purples in my crosses with 'Plastic' but I don't know if hat shape and surface will appear in the first generation. Of course, I can intercross the best red and purple 'Plastic' seedlings or backcross to 'Plastic' to recover those traits.
Actually I planted my seed outdoors in MA but there the winter temperatures were severe enough that the seedlings didn't germinate until spring. Here in the Pacific NW they do try to germinate in the winter if started early. I've got a second batch of seed that won't be planted until late February so I won't have to worry about them. Mine are germinating THICKLY; there are over 200 in the 'Helen Payne' X 'Polly Bishop' pot! Think of all the fun ones in that group!
We have had a lousy spell of cool foggy days here in Oregon. Am already ready for spring!
Kevin
