Could space be added to hosta to include if it is a seedling of two varieties or a sport of one variety? Who was the hybridizer or found the sport? Has it been used as a parent or had a worthwhile sport? Who hybridized, found, registered, or introduced it? Also general comments.

We can do most of these. The process is fairly complicated and it's something that only I have access to set up, but once it is setup anyone can propose the details.

One thing, though, is that it is quite difficult for me to change these things after the fact, so let's talk this through just a bit and make this pretty concise.

Parentage type: (Select one) (Is "Parentage Type" the right description for this?)
Seedling of two varieties
A sport of one variety

Hybridizer or Discoverer:
(text field)

Has been used as a parent?
(select yes or no)

Has it had a worthwhile sport?
(select yes or no)

Who hybridized, found, registered, or introduced it?
(text field)

As for the general comments, all plants have a place for general comments at the bottom of the plant's entry.

Dave..thank you for considering this. I share your concern that it be done correctly. Parentage type sounds good, Hybridizer or Discoverer is right, Who hybridized,found, etc. is great As to the question as to rather it has been used as a parent it would be good to be able to to list it's best introduced seedlings. Streaked hosta are used heavily as the pod parent for variagated seedlings. A cross of two variagated hosta produces only solid colored offspring. Hosta genetics are complicated. Many of the variagated hosta on the market are sports of another solid or variagated hosta. For example Regal Splendor, a banded hosta is a sport of Krossa Regal....Night Before Christmas is a sport of White Christmas. Stained Glass sported to Cathedral Windows...etc. Maybe the question could be "does it have any worthwhile seedlings or sports and a way to list those seedlings or sports by name Hope this makes some sense. Let's think about this for a while

Paul, perhaps a review of some of the existing "expanded database" types would prove helpful.
Here's one for Iris: Tall Bearded Iris (Iris 'Aardvark Lark')
Rose: Rose (Rosa 'A Longs Pedoncules')
Daylily: Daylily (Hemerocallis citrina)

I know there are others.

:) I just realized who proposed this. Sorry Paul.

The Daylily data base is what set me to thinking about the hosta data base. In some ways hosta genetics are unigue. The high percentage of hosta which are sports or produce sports makes that important and interesting information. Also if a specific plant is a good parent and produces notable offspring and what its parents are is important to serious hosta people. Thanks for your input. Many of you are far more experienced than I am but I like to consider what might make things better.

Ha! Paul, I edited my post because it dawned on me, belatedly, who posted. Always learning from your observations.

I've followed some of the conversations on the Hosta Forum about Sports occurring or a Hosta which is a Sport reverting. Fascinating stuff.

Evan...all comments can stimulate further conversation so I appreciate yours. Over 50% of the hosta introduced currently are sports rather than hybrids. Does this happen in any other plants? Also the most popular hosta are the variegated ones as shown by winners of the American Hosta Society popularity poll. I read an article in the AHS Journal a few copies ago that called a hosta garden with mostly variegated plants a "convention of clowns"..That is what mine is. I like a few, I repeat few, solid plants for contrast but love the colorful ones. Hosta are among the most popular perennials so I would hope we can have good information and pictures on the intro page for hosta like there is for iris, daylily, and rose.

Shhh...tiptoeing in...

...since this thread is quiet and I won't be interrupting ya'll I just gotta ask,

Paul, what hosta is that in your pic? I gotta have it. It almost looks like Great Expectations (with the dimpled leaves and variegation) but the color (on my monitor) looks more blue than green. (edited for spelling, dang speed typer that I am)

Thanks,
Shoe...(quietly lurking in the corner)....

It is two plants of GE....the colors of my pictures vary.

Okay, thanks! I have those, just waiting for them to mature and show the dimples.

Beautiful bed, by the way!

Grateful,
Shoe

Shoe...look at my pictures of Great Expectations, Lakeside Shore Master, Inniswood, and Paul's Glory on the data base if you like texture. I'll think of others.......

Thanks, Paul. I wrote those down and will most definitely take a look.

Much obliged!