admmad said:@mystlw
I am sure that the cultivar in question grows well in many locations but it is always a good idea to check how well a cultivar that was hybridized in a different zone grows in other gardens near you with similar growing conditions as you have.

Perhaps you might try to get more details and information about how 'Mayor of Munchkinland' grows for the daylily farm you visited.

Perhaps some cultivars might not do well after division in zone 6.
Some cultivars are regional performers growing better in some zones than others or growing better in some conditions than others.

I can't check locally on very many since nobody near grows what I try to grow or as many.
I have tried some region 11 popularity winners that have died for me multiple times. The DL's that like it here can be fantastic.
I am in the same growing zone as Atlanta, GA where it was raved about at the National, but my SW US garden would likely be a tougher test.
I am a collector of smalls and minis with over 300 registered cultivars and about 1000 seedlings. (losing track with additions and deceased ones) You would think that my zone 7a gardens would be good for all different plant habits. MOM is not one I grow but with experience in collecting these for years, (seriously collecting minis for 10 years) survival, increase and reliable bloom tells me only reasonable priced plants can be added here.
I am not critical in any way of Herrington or other southern hybridizers. I would try any of his, however, I have lost about as many as have survived here. I grow or have grown plants in MOM pedigree. Parent of MOM has produced 1 bloom in 2 years (1 scape, 3" tall with 1 bud) and no increase in fans or size in a prime location. Grandparents of MOM died after 1 year.
I see Darrel Apps has new intro's by MOM. It must bloom for him.
Maybe I will have to watch for one of those babies. I have lots of his and very few losses.

Power to the sellers of MOM. And buyers, I am not competing.

kidfishing said:

I can't check locally on very many since nobody near grows what I try to grow or as many.
I have tried some region 11 popularity winners that have died for me multiple times. The DL's that like it here can be fantastic.
I am in the same growing zone as Atlanta, GA where it was raved about at the National, but my SW US garden would likely be a tougher test.
I am a collector of smalls and minis with over 300 registered cultivars and about 1000 seedlings. (losing track with additions and deceased ones) You would think that my zone 7a gardens would be good for all different plant habits. MOM is not one I grow but with experience in collecting these for years, (seriously collecting minis for 10 years) survival, increase and reliable bloom tells me only reasonable priced plants can be added here.
I am not critical in any way of Herrington or other southern hybridizers. I would try any of his, however, I have lost about as many as have survived here. I grow or have grown plants in MOM pedigree. Parent of MOM has produced 1 bloom in 2 years (1 scape, 3" tall with 1 bud) and no increase in fans or size in a prime location. Grandparents of MOM died after 1 year.
I see Darrel Apps has new intro's by MOM. It must bloom for him.
Maybe I will have to watch for one of those babies. I have lots of his and very few losses.

Power to the sellers of MOM. And buyers, I am not competing.

are you saying you have a higher loss rate w minis vs the larger ones? or w certain hybridizers?

Frillylily said:

are you saying you have a higher loss rate w minis vs the larger ones? or w certain hybridizers?

I would say that southern evergreens don't do very well here , not any particular flower size. There are exceptions. We collect them for hybridizing. One of my hybridizing goals is getting the colors of the southern evergreens on plants that are hardy, reliable, and vigorous in my gardens.

MOM Growing in a friends garden in SW Ohio

Gettysburg daylilies and peafowl has it listed in limited quantity for $65 a single fan. I've seen the plant blooming in person last week. It's huge and gorgeous.

I'm jumping in here with a wee personal experience & thoughts....
I managed to buy a donated double fan of MOM at our local 2020 daylily society auction, for $180 Canadian .... That same day it was pointed out to me that a double fan of MOM was going for OVER $380 US on THE auction (About $500 or so Canadian?)....

For those here wondering why? .... Why would someone spend such $$$ on a single plant? For a breeder, you're buying genetics, NOT simply a garden display plant. For collectors, it's having something unique or rare that helps position you in your own mind and/or among the rank & file 'out there'. I liken it to the cliched -"1%" - The 'One Percenters' of ALL, in this case those who garden, that makes you different from the rest? .... They're BOTH buying the same item - but for decidedly different reasons.

You can buy a used vehicle for $2000 .... Or a sleek European Import right out of the dealer's showroom, for $200,000. They both simply get you where you want to go. Transportation. One practical. The other ALSO gets you added intangibles ... stand-out style, recognition, status, personal satisfaction. The two buyers are purchasing the same thing - but with different motivations, different expectations, different needs .... AND, of course personal resources play a significant role obviously.

For me, getting my hands on those genes within MOM was and is a practical 'need'.

Wildbirds said:
For me, getting my hands on those genes within MOM was and is a practical 'need'.

Unfortunately this cultivar has never travelled to Europe (as far as I know and I look for it since years) - so I can only congratulate you!

I saw MOM clumps in several tour gardens at the region 3 conference in PA in 2019, and it was voted best mini. I also know some board members who have large daylily collections who have had no success getting MOM to grow more than the DF they started with. Perhaps it is more than climate - soils are different, as well. Don't know what else may affect it, but it would appear to be fussy.

That being said, it is still on my wish list.