I'm just loving the seedlings from this year. They probably haven't changed that much to all of you but I think they have.


From 'Brown Owl'

'Gold Bug'


'Gizmo'

Looks beautiful Julia!!

Keep Babysitting those youngsters, Julia!

I have them were I walk by them. My dog keeps stepping on them when she is after the squirrels. I think the squirrels do more damage.

What's the top pic's parents?

From 'Brown Owl'. Wonderful coloration now.

I love semps with golden hues

I'm especially fond of them as well. Also like the very deep purple with watermarks. Some of the blue are dazzling as well.

No recognisable colour changes on my seedlings so far.

The remaining flower debris of all crosses I crushed and sprinkled on soil in a flat end of August has produced some tiny seedlings so far that are (still) doing fine. Maybe I will sacrifice some seeds to do another test batch in December before sowing all remaining seeds in February. After the mold issue last year I will start all seeds outdoors. But I want to start earlier than last year, to allow for a longer growing period for the new seedlings.

Michael that sounds like a great plan. I love that you are trying different planting times, and keeping us informed on how the different plantings do. This could be very helpful information.

Yes, I agree. You might be surprised when spring arrives. I think you will find more seedlings. They could just be sitting dormant for the correct environment.

I think I shared that I pour also boiling water through my seed starting soil to help with the mold.

Julia good idea about boiling water!
Michael yes it is good info and keep us updated please

Do semp seeds need cold stratification?

I did not have any mold issue after I transferred last years indoor test batch outdoors and directly started the other seeds outside. I found some algae/moss growing beginning of summer which did not influence the seedlings - I will try again without boiling water treatment. I further reduced the amount of sand in the growing media and replaced sand by grid in the top dressing that should help get rid of excess moisture that promotes growth of algae/moss.

Daniel, I lately found this article about semp breeding and cold stratification on semp seeds and the results. It is in German, but hopefully Google translate will give you a good translation. The tables on different methods of stratification can be found in the lower section of the text...

https://sites.google.com/site/...

I store my semp seeds in the crisper box of my fridge before sowing them, as recommended by Kevin. No objections from my wife so far. It is only my second year in growing semps from seed and I did not yet try leaving the cold storage away.

Great info Michael thank you

Yes, Smith showed way back in '74 that semp seeds need to spend 2 weeks at 40 F (4C) to have good germination. To get this I just start my seed pots outdoors when I know they'll have some of that weather or keep the seed in the crisper portion of the refrigerator for a few weeks before planting. Both work like a charm.

Kevin

Got to see Julia's seedlings and there are some nice colors and markings there!

I took a few shots of things that were showing good fall to winter color. These include a heuffelii that's very dark with HUGE spines and large rosettes. Giuseppi Spiny is a grandparent but this has much bigger and prominent spines in a good contrasting color. The rosette is also BIG whereas Giuseppi Spiny is on the small side.

The other two are from Heart of Darkness X Borscht. There were lots of good ones from this mating, as you might imagine, but these two have rather interesting patterns/ colors. The mottled one I find very interesting although the other one is showier. Both of these are huge rosettes (6") from 18 months of growth.

Also have lots of huge purples and near blacks that I'll save for you all to see at the clinic. In the new seedlings, there are some really dark ones and some really FAT ones. Such fun.

Enjoy!

Kevin

The middle one is the mottled one, Kevin? It is very interesting; not sure I like it but I think I might like it... The bottom one is really neat too! Great, more stuff to look forward to at Clinic!!

Bev,

Yes the middle one is mottled. This is one for closeup inspection to see all of its nuances. The others are more in your face. We all know that GAUDY SELLS too.

Good day for photography so I've got my "doing the laundry" clothes on to lie in the mud and snap photos.

Kevin