BROKEN RECORD TIME:
The naming rules for registration of cultivars is dictated by what is called "the code," ICNCP (International Code of Nomenclature for Cultivated Plants.) That is the international governing body which oversees the naming of all registered cultivars. AHS registers the genus hemerocallis, but must follow the rules dictated by ICNCP. Naming and registration rules are spelled out CLEARLY on the database and rules are made clear (at least for those who take the time to read them !)
It is clearly stated that a new cultivar CANNOT be registered with the same or a very close name of an existing cultivar already in the database. EVERYONE is strongly encouraged to check a name you want to use against the data base before you submit. And anyone who has registered a daylily knows that you always must submit an alternate name in case the one you want is not approved. All names submitted for registration must be run past the name approval committee and be approved before the plant is officially registered. If the name submitted is found to be the same or even very similar or violates one of the other naming rules, the first name is rejected and the alternate name then goes through the same process. In a few cases, the alternate name is also rejected, in which case the hybridizer is asked to give another name. This is all SUPPOSED to be done before cultivars are sold and put on websites. Regrettably, it doesn't always happen that way.
It took me less than 30 seconds to check and see that both of these names mentioned in the first post are ALREADY IN THE AHS DATABASE for existing cultivars. That means there is ZERO chance these names would be approved for a new cultivar ( clearly stated in naming rules, by the way.)
So I do NOT believe this name change was caused by "AHS's new system." but rather that the hybridizer did not bother to check whether the names he submitted to AHS had already been used, and secondly, he did not wait until the names he submitted were approved before he listed and began selling them on the website.
ie: Cross Country is already in DB as :
Cross-country (Wild, 1987)
height 22 in.(56 cm), bloom 5.5 in.(14 cm), season La, Dormant, Diploid, Fragrant, Diamond dusted yellow self with small green throat.
and Breakthrough, yes that name was taken already too, back in 1966.
Breakthrough (Hughes, 1966)
height 17 in.(43 cm), bloom 5 in.(13 cm), season M, Dormant, Diploid, Pastel rose with yellow throat . (Frances Fay × Duchess of Dallas)
Furthermore, WHY didn't the hybridizer WAIT to list registrations for sale ( when people who buy expensive new registrations usually ASSUME that what they are paying their hard earned bucks for is a legitimately registered name) until AFTER the completed registration forms are sent back? Years ago,registration took months and sometimes people would use names because they had in good faith mailed in a registration form and hadn't heard whether the name was approved in months. Nowadays it is a fast process, and I'm sorry, but IMHO, if you are going to sell plants for $100 or $150 or even more, then you need to be organized enough to get your registration forms in and allow that time for name approval to come through BEFORE you start selling,
At least we can give some credit to this hybridizer, they did contact the primary purchasers and attempt to set the record straight with corrected names, even if they INCORRECTLY tried to throw the blame onto AHS. Sorry, but I'm calling it as I see it. ( And who knows if any plants have already been put into the secondary market under the incorrect name?) That 's how , at some future point, a buyer might check the plant they just paid $75 for, and say, "WHAATT?? I bought a cultivar named Breakthrough that was supposed to be a 2017 introduction, and now it is listed in the database as a 1966 registration? "
Having listened to many furious people that had this happen to them, I ALWAYS CHECK the DB before buying new introductions, and would encourage anyone new to daylilies , if you are enticed enough to want to buy a brand new introduction, PLEASE for your own protection, always check to see if the hybridizer has registered that expensive plant you are buying!!
It is perfectly OK, by the way, when you check, if you see either of these types of wording on the database: ( randomly picked several that will be coming to me this spring) :
'Clemson Girls' (Davisson-J., 2018)
ICNCP rules require that we withhold the description until checklist publication in 2019.
(this tells you that Judy HAS registered this.)
Jammin's Periwinkle Pearl (Singletary-B., 2018) [details withheld until publication in 2019]
This tells you that Ben HAS registered this.
Some hybridizers even register the cultivars in the year BEFORE they sell it, which is fine with me too! ( This is a 2018 introduction that will be coming this way too)
Phil and Louella registered this in 2017 but being they're way up north, they waited until 2018 to introduce it.
Pinewood Green Flash (Korth-P.-Korth-L., 2017)
height 32 in.(81 cm), bloom 5.75 in.(14 cm), season EM, Dormant, Diploid, Fragrant, 25 buds, 5 branches, Dark pink petals with burgundy band around large green throat, green sepals with pink blush.. (Search for Green Pastures × Pinewood Lily Pad)
Sorry for the rant, but I've seen this happen ..... a lot.... and hate to see people be taken advantage of. The good news is, I was all set to buy a beautiful 2018 introduction the DAY it went on a website just a couple of weeks ago, and people were buying it like mad. Guess what? I checked first and there was already a cultivar in the DB by that same name. Lost the enthusiasm and saved the money.
