Crossing with L. duchartrei is unlikely, but that wouldn't stop me from trying! I think it's a good idea to use mixed pollen when you're not sure what will work. As long as you use pollen parents that are very unlike each other, whatever progeny is successful, you be able to pinpoint the true fatherhood.

True Rick, would you agree with the L. Pumilum ID?

Yes, it is L. pumilum. Taking into consideration the non-floral characteristics, I don't think it can be anything else. Without known provenance, I suppose it could be a pumilum hybrid, but very unlikely.

And speaking of provenance, next year we should all see what a true Lilium leichtlinii looks like. These are from seed collected in the wild in Japan.

Very nice, Rick. The pumilum had a very unpleasant if odd smell to it. When you refer to a true leichtlinii......do you believe that current ones for sale are not true but hybrids?

There has been a lot of discussion about the species (leichtlinii) identity in commerce, both here on ATP and on the Yahoo lilium group. It seems that certain people have unmovable opinions. I am not ready commit to anything, and even my wild seedlings may not lay everything to rest.

Rick, your leichtlini is different than mine. The leaves on yours are narrower and greener than mine, which are a little wider and a little more red. Mine is the commercial version obtained through B&D. Can't wait to see your seedling in bloom.

Roosterlorn said:Rick, your leichtlini is different than mine. The leaves on yours are narrower and greener than mine, which are a little wider and a little more red. Mine is the commercial version obtained through B&D. Can't wait to see your seedling in bloom.

Indeed. They are even different than mine from the Species Lily Preservation Group (SLPG). Definitely narrower, although the shade of green/red I am sure is a normal variation of the species and/or growth conditions. And these seedlings are only from one Japanese prefecture. They could be different forms elsewhere.

I'm really looking forward to seeing a big Lankon this season - it might help make the cold here tolerable!! As for L. leichtlinii next year. I have some seedlings ('Iwashimizu' form) too, Rick, but they are further away from flowering than yours and they were no where near as healthy looking - those are absolutely beautiful.

The Iwashimizu form does ring a bell, maybe I read it somewhere. But my notes say:
Lilium leichtlinii col. Japan 4347-year collected 2008
Japan: Ooyama Toyama Prefect 300m orange-red,50cm
I had forgotten that this would be the var. maximowiczii, since it is orange-red. Further, there is more discussion as to whether this form is really a leichtlinii at all! To me, what's important is that it is the wild form.

I also have several seedlings started last year, collected wild from a much colder area, and again I assume var. maximowiczii:
Japan:Yamanashi Prefect 1500m orange,70-80cm

I'll be very interested to see what yours looks like, too, Della.

Ok I think these will be my last bloom less photos!
My two "show" stems! My last year 'Lankon' group with my juvenile Noid pink asiatic grew quite well I'd say! The third one is the 20 budder developing!






And last is a beast stem of tigerplay with somewhere in the neighborhood of 45 buds!




Ok no more unopened flowers for me!

What are you feeding those things??

My thoughts too! Wow Joe - you need to bottle your lily magic!

Rick, I'm looking forward to a comparative unveiling of wild japanese lilies next year. It's great you have the exact provenance of your stock.

I don't think I deserve the credit, it the lilies themselves. I just scratched in some Jobes organic fertilizer a little after they peeked out, a little compost over that and that's it! I guess they like that spot.

This is a two year old seedling of a Tropical Isle cross (pod parent). It is over 40 inches (100 cm) tall with very attractive, densely populated, scattered pattern foliage. It was disbudded early last year so the flower will be a surprise to everyone including me. A complete photo record/history from seed planting to the present will be posted in the "Starting Lilies From Seed' thread when it blooms.

Looking good Lorn! I like that thin leaved and dense foliage too.

Like the look of that stem.

Just wondering from the photo, Lorn, do you border all your gardens with that wire mesh? Does it keep the rabbits out? How is it supported?

Della, it's a 30 inch high rabbit fence; small openings on the bottom half that get progressively larger toward the top. I use round steel farm type posts for the straight run sides and larger farm type steel posts as corner posts. It keeps the bunnies and the like out but not the deer. If they get too curious, I then run an electric fence wire along the top using a solar agricultural electric unit rated for three miles range. Deer learn quickly and surprisingly don't forget. They're afraid of the fence. This year I haven't put the electric wire up yet because they still walk a big circle around the garden.

Well, looks like I spoke too soon! At least one jumped the fence to the seedling garden and nipped the budded stems on 5 or 6 seed lots. Well, at least the bulbs will bulk up for next year. Electric fence wire goes on today.

I'd be surprised if a rabbit actually jumped the fence, unless there was some hanky-panky going on. I've seen ground hogs leap with an arc at least 4 feet high when they were in that "happy" mode.

I'll bet it is more likely that the rabbit wiggled its way through the wires.

I dunno, Lefty ~ I saw some pretty crazy things last year that I thought rabbits weren't suppose to do. While on the run, a rabbit jumped a 24" fence with ease and another 'climbed' over my 18" fence until it got both feet on top, then hopped off into the garden. Oh, and that scent deterrant mesh that I put up this year? Pfft ~ chewed right through it. DH says that next year an electric fence is going up. Probably tired of hearing my &^%#$ing.