Just trying to drum up some interesting conversation so I figured it would be fun to hear from everyone what their most exciting lily gardening project or plant is for the upcoming season. (or current for you Aussies!) From scaling your own hybrid, to getting a rare seed, to a new planting, let's hear it.

I'll start. I think what's most exciting for me is a few things. I have about 30+ bulbs coming this spring to cram somewhere and I'm planning on starting many new hybridyzing adventures. I have also started a bunch of species seed and am looking foward to germinating some lilium gloriosoides seeds for this fall! Maybe some of you more experienced growers have something more specific. Oh and if I'm lucky I may have my first hybrid blooms coming this season.

I'm just hoping for an uninterrupted 6 week period for pollenating, which has never happened before. Always something. I already have an out of state 'National' family reunion scheduled for the first week of July--I'll condense that to 4 days. I just hope nobody decides to get married or no one dies requiring more out of state travel! Last year we had my wife's sister and her husband from Georgia stay here for 9 days straight during pollenating time, but they also grow lilies and amaryllis, etc. and were as interested in my work as much as I am, so I even had a little help! That's what I call a nice interruption--cut in to my picture taking time a little, though.

I've never had one of those massive family reunions and I don't wish I have. Good luck Lorn. I do always find it bittersweet to give someone else the responsibility of watering the veggies and missing a particular lily's first bloom to go on vacation but it must be done from time to time. Lorn, don't forget that you have the green trumpets to tend as well. Lol

Family re union , everytime someone dies in the family!
I think, whats exciting this year are the lily crosses, Ive done.X-phi and that really reflexed seedling that everyone liked. Waiting on Oysteins seeds, 'Elegen ' crosses.. cant wait to see a flower! ..Hope to register 'Sooty' my 1st lilium

I hope everything survives the winter OK. I mulched pretty heavy and have snow cover now, ( little late). A lot of the snow has blown everywhere but where I want it! The sturgeon fisherman on Lake Winnebago in east central Wisconsin say the Ice is 28 inches thick there. Scary! At least the voles have gone hungry so far this winter.

Lots of nice reasons to be happy, Anthony!

A picture of Sooty, please!

I've had a wonderfully exciting lily world already this year, but what always excites me most is seeing the new babies flower the first time. So I'm really looking forward to each and every opening bud on my seedling first-time bloomers.

Sooty in my Avatar , Della.. Sure the lily will be just as beautiful!
Woodchuck grapevine, advisory service, tells me you are making some very good impressions, with your lily knowledge .. ..Good show on Thurs at the AGM

Anthony, certainly exciting registering your first lily!

Have the seeds from me germinated yet, Anthony?

1 lot Oystein, The other I smacked in after you posted the picture, and gave Della some.. They will be 'BRILLIANT'..............seeds seeds , I see seeds and seedlings in my dreams..

Very special seeds are in the ground (well - potting mix!).

aha - I hope I don't offend or confuse anyone with my very inept secretarianism! But I have some thoughts about the lily classes in the summer show schedule to lessen confusion for exhibitors and judges. The way it is now, we end up comparing apples and oranges and I bet half the exhibitors feel like they've walked into fruit salad without a clue!

I hope you flower a lily next summer perfect for Sooty.

Mmmm, They need some Ice Cream to go with it! I know when I first joined the flower show group, I think people saw my Ideas, as if I was a 'yapping Chiuhauha', and shut me down.. but now I am 'relentless' and wont back down and many of my Ideas are still unfurling...Go for it Im sure I should get a 'Sooty or 2' from all the seeds I planted...

Anthony, with those you and Della are registering, You should make clones of both them and the seed parents. The sooner, the better while they are younger plants and hopefully virus free stock

Smart idea Lorn! If you guys are serious about testing, ahem I could probably squeeze them in purely for research purposes. Haha