What's the maximum amount of crosses you would try on a newer plant, let's say less than three fans versus an established clump?

I notice the bass Gibson I used extensively last year is very late to bloom this year. I'm wondering if I did to many crosses.

Experience has taught me not to set pods on first year plants: seedlings or acquisitions. Weather has really affected blooming times this year, especially for earlies.

SunriseSide said:Experience has taught me not to set pods on first year plants: seedlings or acquisitions. Weather has really affected blooming times this year, especially for earlies.

Someone told me that they hybridize their seedlings if they bloom sometimes. What kind of side effects have you seen from setting pods on seedlings and first year plants?

I'd say it depends. I tend to lose a lot of plants in the late winter/early Spring to the weather. It doesn't matter if they are established or not. If they are not hardy they will die if we have multiple freeze/thaw cycles.

Therefore if I have a plant that I know may not make it I use it extensively no matter how new the plant. I haven't in the past and have regretted it since usually some of the kids are hardy.

If you are worried about the plant not having enough energy to make more roots just give it more fertilizer and water.

I've never worried about it. If a plant arrives in the spring or a new first year sdlg blooms and I want to use it, I do. I'm not sure where you're located, but where I am in zone 4 waiting a year or two to use something sets your hybridizing back ...1 or 2 year wait to use, then seed to bloom for sdlgs. I even move 1st year bloomed sdlgs in Oct after taking pods off them. In 20 years I can not say I've lost a plant due to my setting pods. I have lost plenty of plants that never had pods on them!

I set pods on first year seedlings and named plants all the time. Its better to use them than loose them

I decided to set my max at 5 pods per fan this year. I have a few seedlings that I set three pods on. Probably hoping for a bit much there, but I've been watering daily hoping that helps. I also have added some slow release fertilizer.