Hello Tina
Start with the seeds. I get around 70% that germinate. Of them, probably another 2% will die. All different reasons, from black rot, to one year a slug got into a seedling tray. The others will then be grown on till they bloom. A lot you can tell right away, that they are no good, from colouration to bloom shape etc. They are then whittled down to probably five or six by the end of the season. These are then grown on and tested over the next three to four years. If they show any faults, they are discarded. If any are left at the end of the testing, I show these to friends, mainly at the flower clubs to get their reaction. If there is a positive response, I will then possibly register it. If I am still not sure it might be tested for a further year or so. So you see it is quite a lengthy process.
John
