Here's a question I had:

If you hybridize a sempervivum, or find a seedling semp that doesn't look like anything like any other sempervivum, how would you "release" it or, or make it an actual hybrid, not just a seedling that looks different? As in how would you catalog it into a database?

Or if you recieve a seedling that someone rejected or had too much of etc. and you end up thinking it looks really good and doesn't look like anything else, how would you catalog it?

I think it would have to be in commerce, in other words you would find a place, for example like Perennial Obsessions who agree and propagate and sell it under a name.

Otherwise you can upload your "unintroduced" seedling(s) under the generic Sempervivum database. Maybe add a caption about the seedling like parentage or other information. I have done that with some of my Lilium seedlings.

Alex,
There really isn't an official local registrar. I certainly agree with Connie that having it offered commercially is probably the best way to legitimize a release because it serves as a publication, but if you are in possession of a unique seedling you like, there's nothing to stop you from naming it and passing it out to your friends. The german database and this website are good places to have an official listing of your plant, though there is some etiquette involved. First, you can't use the name of another sempervivum already available. Second the germans are especially concerned with the release of plants that look like other plants which already have names, under several listings on their website they mention other plants that look similar to the ones listed, so ideally you'd want to avoid naming a look-a-like. It'd also be forthcoming should you name a seedling not of your own breeding to list it as "Named by: (yourself)", and "Bred by: (breeder's name)". I have a few seedlings of Kevin's which don't have names, two of which turned out to be really nice plants which I was almost tempted to name. Ultimately I decided to just use those plants as parents and consider naming their offspring instead. It just wouldn't make much sense for someone like me to bother naming and promoting someone else's cull with as many seedlings as I've raised, but as I understand it has been done in the past. Also I don't think it would be wise to do that without communicating with the breeder first, Kevin might not want his name listed on a plant he'd essentially thrown away, so if I'd have decided to try and name one of his culls I would have sought permission from him before trying to officiate a name. 'Dragon's Eye' is a seedling of Kevin's named by the folks at youngs nursery, not really a cull as I understand, but it wasn't a variety Kevin named either.
There are also cases of distinct sports receiving names, like the pink sport of 'Silverine' which was renamed 'Pinkerine' by the folks at Mountain Crest Gardens.
Anyways Lynn and Kevin know more about this than I do, maybe they can offer you more thoughts on naming your own varieties.

Alice,
Your pond looks magnificent!

-Sol

Sol,
Great concise and thoughtful writing.

Thanks Paleo, it's certainly a topic I have a vested interest in.

Sol, thank you for the explanation.

Alice, It's so beautiful!!!!!!!!!!!!!

remember when I posted about the japanese sempervivum collection? Since I think some of you might not be able to visit there right now, I was able to find the google maps version! This should take you to the exact point, you can use your mouse and drag it to turn around and zoom in. Those trays are fulll of the semps.

https://www.google.com/maps/@3...

Alex,

If the hybridizer didn't think it was good enough to name, then there are probably good reasons for it. The two that Young's named were ones I had sent to them as ones I was thinking of naming but wanted another set of eyes on them. They asked me if they could use those names and I like them both too. That 'Killer' X self group gave lots of great seedlings, better than any group I've ever raised to that point and the offspring were different enough that I had a range of sizes, colors and patterns. I have lines that descend from several of these plants.

It is unethical to name something that the hybridizer has not authorized.

You should realize that I raise up to 20 K seedlings/ year and most of these are line bred plants where the seedlings are all above average in quality and a lot of these could be named. I shoot for no more than 1 in 1-2K to eventually put a name on, They should be of the highest quality in all aspects.

When there was a Sempervivum Society they handled all the naming. You sent them a suggested name and sometimes a rosette for their reference collection. They then approved the name and also wrote an official description. For irises we do have a registrar and we complete a long form describing a long list of characteristics of the plants plus a good image of the flower. With no registration authority for semps, I search the German site for any possible name conflicts and obeying the rules for naming plants from ISHS. That gives the plant an official name but is not equal to registering them.

Introduction is when the plant is offered for sale. Years ago they must be published in a printed form but now an online advertisement is enough. With my iris registrations for instance I send in a printed version of this advertisement to our registrar so that he can officially record the plant as being on the market. All of our semp nurseries use a website and in general the German site catches most of these so they list a "naming" as that date. So 'Red Zinger' is a '21 introduction. That should be the only date associated with this plant as we don't have separate registration and introduction criteria.

Hope that helps!

Kevin

I split this off of the original thread so we can use it easily for reference. Lots to learn for most of us on naming and introducing new sempervivum.

There you have it Alex, I'd take whatever Kevin says as gospel on this, he's been naming plants his whole life.

Very true Lynn. Lot's to learn here, I'm excited to see you building up a repertoire of varieties. At this rate I shouldn't be too far behind, it's definitely important to me that I proceed as by-the-books as possible.
-Sol