What data do you track on your seedlings?

16 years ago

Ok, data freak that I am, I'm already building my database to track my seedlings (the first seeds just put into baggies for germination).

This is what I have so far:

Seedling ID

Keeper?

Pollen Parent

Pod Parent

Ploidity

Source (for those seeds I purchase)

Date of cross (assuming I'll make instead of buy seeds at some point)

Date of collection

Date germinated & planted

Date transplanted to garden

Date first bloom

Date second scape bloom (checking for rebloom)

Scape height

Bloom size

Bloom season

Bloom description

Bloom form

Foliage type

Noc

RE

Ext

Fr

Pollen fertile

Pod fertile

Vigor

1st yr # fans produced

1st yr # scapes

1st yr # buds

2nd yr # fans produced

2nd yr # scapes

2nd yr # buds

Garden location

Additional Notes

I figure things like germination rate will be available because I'll have one entry per seed.

what would you add?

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Comments (3)

Ed
16 years ago
I integrate hybridizing, seed collection, germination and transplanting into one database. I don't track individual seeds or seedlings until I select them. All crosses have a tag field to indicate if the cross is (A) Active, (X) Aborted/Lost, (C) Seeds Collected or (P) Planted. Number of seeds/seedlings and date of each category is recorded for each pollination attempt.
Once a seedling is selected, a seedling number is assigned and the following data is recorded.
Date of selection
Ploidy
Year planted
Seedling# marked visible above the foliage.
Cross: (Pod Parent X Pollen Parent)
EMO
EXT Bloom
Relative Vigor
Bloom description
Other features
Hybridizing Notes

Each year for three years I record the following information for the seedling, unless culled.
Date first bloom
Scape height
Bloom size
Bloom form
Bud Count
Branching
Fragrance
Rebloom Date
Increase
Garden location (I stress the importance of this)
Winter foliage
Comments

If you are a serious hybridizer, I will point out that after the first year, you will throw away 90 of each 100 seedlings and after accumulation seedlings for about three years, you will throw away 99 of every hundred produced or more. If the collection of data is too burdensome, it becomes a chore and you won't do it. But you know your own tolerance level.
Have fun!
Ed
berrytea4me
Original Author
16 years ago
Hi Ed,
I'm so glad you responded. Before posting my question I search the site and read an old post of yours that had a lot of information in it about marking crosses & data collection. Thank you for sharing your experience, it's invaluable to a newbie.

I had not seen you post for a while so didn't know if you were still visiting the forum. I have a question from your previous post as well.

I'm good with data so long as it's easy & efficient to keep up with, hence I'm using a simple db program that runs on my pda so I can take it right into the garden for data collection. I use a lot of checkboxes and dropdowns to avoid typing. I'm horrible with paper and even worse with transfering data from paper to software.

I have no idea yet if I'll become a "serious hybridizer". I'm a newbie to daylilies (have had a few for many years but just now discovered the variety). I've played with hybridizing african violets (easy) and been tempted with roses but nothing serious yet. I am, however, considering a career change into the garden industry and experimenting with dl hybridizing is an extention of that research. I purchases some seeds on the LA just to give germination/growing from seed a try before I try to dab pollen.

You mentioned in your previous post that there are some commercial software applications available for hybridizers. What are those and where can I learn more about them?

thanks again,
BT4M
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Ed
16 years ago
Hi BT4M,
Happy to be of help.
Safe Haven Gardens used to sell pda software, may still. You might email them. Seems like there was another but I don't recall who. I emailed a friend who I think bought a program. I'll get back to you.
Ed

What data do you track on your seedlings?

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Ed

berrytea4me
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What data do you track on your seedlings?

Comments (3)

Ed

berrytea4meOriginal Author

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Ed

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berrytea4me
Original Author