Weirdly in the seedling rows it just seems to be the one or two that is affected whereas the other seedlings all look fine. The ones that are affected went BLACK and are just MUSH now. I pulled most of them out as I don't want those in my gene pool even if they recover. I don't need a yard full of wimps!
Some of our semps do come from the lower areas near the Mediterranean and those seem to be sensitive (like the parents of 'Commander Hay'). However, these genes seem to be floating through other populations. Admittedly this has been a WEIRD year here. The plants were very lush after a warm and wet October and then BOOM right to the Arctic. I don't want to see that ever again.
Oddly enough Lynn I have several hundred seedlings from 'Lilac Time' and they all look fine. Most of them are from crosses to 'Jungle Shadows' and that is one that shows no winter damage. Maybe that's a clue for me in further crosses: use only the rock hardy and you won't be sorry! I love the shape and color application in 'Lilac Time' and would like to see that in other colors. You'll see in the spring if I was successful.
Was a pretty day here yesterday and got a lot of work done in the yard. I'm not quite ready for spring but close.
Kevin
