Good idea Patty!! Mine has been drying indoors, so now I should do that...have to figure out what to put them in afterwards! (I guess I have paper that I can fold an envelope out of)

Greg,

Semp seeds are TINY and tend to go right through many envelopes. I use glassine envelopes to store the seed (ungummed) and then put the envelope in a sealed coin envelope for further protection. Plan B is that you leave them in the paper bags and just crush them and plant them all in one fell swoop. Hold off until late February to actually plant as they might try to come up now and you'll lose many over the winter.

The rain is coming in HARD tonight. Not pretty!

Kevin

Greg - I have some glassine envelopes if you want some.

Where can you get glassine envelopes? Looks as if we'll all need to order some... I'll google for them, but if you have a reliable supplier, Kevin and/or Lynn, it would be good to know. MR

Jo Ann's Fabrics has them on sale right now. Twelve pack for $1.49, 2 x 3.5 inches. But shipping is $5.95.
Amazon seems to have some good deals and the one I looked at for $7.05 for 100 is free shipping. http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=sr...

Kevin where do you get yours from? And what size do you use?

I buy them from a local stamp dealer. I use the rather small ones, about 3" across. You want the UNGUMMED ones as the seeds will stick in the gummed ones. After putting the seed in them, I fold the envelope so that the seed can't escape and then put the folded envelope in a coin envelope. after taking all the trouble to make these crosses, I don't want to lose these seeds!

I store the cleaned seed in the crisper area of my fridge in a sealed plastic storage bag until planting in spring.

Kevin

OK -- got them from Amazon, free shipping, too. And that answers one of my questions -- whether I could do anything with my seeds other than keep them in paper bags. Thanks!

Watered my semp seedlings and got my first round of Amaryllis bulbs planted -- I love having them in chapel! It's rare for them to bloom by Christmas, but sometimes. I'm keeping them where it's warm and hoping...

Amaryllis are such wonderful blooms!!

I was able to get a few photo yesterday of the seedlings. With all the rain and 50°F temps they have been growing and doing some color changes.
The first photo is showing watermarkings and is starting to multiply.



This one is interesting to me, as the growth habit is so different. It is rather flat and forms a symmetrical rosette of chestnut red with bright green trip. So far no sign of multiplying.


This one is unusual for the color of chocolate brown with canary yellow trim. This one is starting to show watermarkings.


Then there this wonderful little teal/aqua marine green rosette. It is really standing out in the beds with it's almost glowing color.


All of the leaves on this one are starting to show watermarkings. Kind of an olive green color.


And the last heuffelii photo for today is this little gem of midnight red leaves with olive trim. So far I can't tell if it will have watermarkings.


Now to report on the 3 Oddity x Red Lion seedlings.
This first one is showing dark colored tips, and is a darker green than the other two seedlings.



Here are some of the 2014 Musketeer x Treebeard seedlings:




There are many different forms showing in that planting. I will get more photos when they have increased in size.

Love your heuffelii seedlings, each one is so different. The chocolate one and last one are my favorites. Musketeer x Treebeard are interesting too. Hope they inherit watermarkings, love those watermarks.
I guess time will tell if your oddity seedlings will become odd.

Lynn, how exciting to have created something unique! You can start naming them after your grandchildren

Pretty cool! I think I must have already told you (or it's deja vu or good old fashion sleep deprivation) that the one that looks dark red and white (to my un-color-smart eyes!) is really neat.

Youve got some real beauties in there Lynn!

Thank you for the kind words.

I now wonder if any of them will be marketable? Maybe Kevin can come over and look at them? Maybe this spring will tell?

I love your seedlings, Lynn! I am looking forward to seeing them in the spring.

Lynn,

The tiny ones will change SO much when they become adults that it's difficult to judge anything. 'Borscht' is the only seedling I have raised that was cool from day one. On the bigger ones you have a better chance of knowing whether it's distinct or not. Go through the seedling evaluation from the clinic and go through all of the points, especially distinction. I think you have a heuff or two that look good and the tufted red one is very nice too. I would give them numbers at this point and see how they clump up. Give them numbers and start evaluating!

I would resist naming anything for your grandkids, especially if it turns out NOT to be a good commercial item. Save those names for the really amazing ones or ones that the recipient of the name has chosen.

Just my two cents.

Kevin

Thank you for your guidance and advice Kevin. It is much appreciated.
I haven't even thought about naming anything at this point, way to early in the game. My plan is to see how they come through the winter for their second or third winter, and see what their form and colors look like in the spring.
Is the the tufted red one you are referring to?

Lynn,

Yes, that's my favorite of them so far, especially if it gets some size to it. Good bright color and a very neat clump. The leaves are more pointed than many of this type and the rosette form a bit different too. It is difficult to come up with something completely new but that one has all the makings.

I'm going out to start round one of seed sifting and packaging. The first 40 or so stalks look completely dry and ready for harvest.

Was out this morning working a bit and many things are coloring up nicely. 'Forever Midnight' is by far the darkest and one rosette is 8". One silvery-blue with deep red leaf bases is quite nice too.

After suffering through WINTER as a youth in MA, I certainly enjoy OR winters, despite the rain (and the winter weeds).

Kevin

I know what you mean Kevin, the weeds are year round here! But so are the herbs and many perennials! And even some roses!
Lynn I'm loving many of your seedlings!!

Yes, thanks for sharing/showing off (as you should), your new generations of semps! Most interesting especially the ciliated red bunch.