I never met him but I did get his book The Genus Hosta back in the early 90s and it taught me much.

tj

I never met him..did anyone else see an episode of A Gardener's Diary years ago featuring his garden?..it was a great episode..a beautiful garden and he was so pleasant and knowledgeable..

Nicholsworth!!! Yes! That is where I saw him showing is Gosan Line up hosta. The dark green leaves with yellow veins. Later, Ken and Gary sent me a fine big division of "Mito-No-Hana" a green leaf with yellow veins, and that fulfilled my dreams. It grew a 4' flower stalk the following year and I was in heaven. Then the next year after that it dwindled and later it came up all green. From ecstasy to agony in just a few years.

I thoroughly enjoyed the ride.

-Babka

Babka..your story reminds me of this quote.."don't cry because it's over..smile because it happened"..you have a nice memory..I googled George last night and read his obituary..he was 89 and survived by his wife of 67 years..my parents will be 90 and 87 in Oct and Nov..March 11 2020 was their 67th wedding anniversary..for now my Dad is 89 like George..

Definitely a deep dive.

Hosta_maker, I can see it has been well used. I am not sure I could handle that deep dive, as I have no scientific/botanical training. But I have discovered the HL “Hosta Species” and have begun to read parts of that. I believe the Genus Hosta is still for sale, but about $70-80. I wonder how heavy it is...... I have Mark Zilis’ book, “The Hostapedia“ but it’s sooooo heavy, I can barely carry it and can only use on top of a table as it’s too heavy for my lap............ lol........lol

debra

I am looking at $50 now. Thanks for bringing it to attention. What do you like about this book?

Thank you! I am mostly looking for hybridizing science beyond few pages that HL offering.

I am getting closer to trying to save pollen as there are days when there is plenty of pollen and there are none, so what I think I want to do is not happening. Some plants have tons of good pollen but again only on certain days, I have not figured out why?

And as for traits , how does one know?

Lindalana the HL has an interview with Mary Chastain under the articles. Don’t know if you have seen that. Maybe that will be helpful.

debra

become a member of the American hosta society. Members have access to past journals of the evolving science and many contributing articles from great hybridizers.

once you get the password look for publications on there members page.

i have best luck with fresh or refridgerated pollen. No more than two weeks old.

so then it’s a challenge of how to get plants to bloom at the same time.

decide what you like, or go for something new. Expect a lot of failure, adjust to overcome it. There’s always next year. break all your processes down and solve them a piece at a time.

traits are rooted in species. Study them follow past example from others. And plants they used to get there. Pick up where they left sometimes it takes several lifetimes. crowd sourcing before it had a trendy name. I guess it’s been going on a along.

Often times the best ones will be several generations from that one you like, but needs more Of something.

streakers are pretty but fleeting. They often aren’t worthy the second or third year. If they are, maintain them by Cutting out eyes that are solid or lightly streaked. Which will set it back again

sustained progress takes a long time to develop your own breeders.

Hosta_maker, do you have hostas that have gone into tc? You are so knowledgeable, it seems like you would.

debra

i do, i actually have to make a run to kansas city to get my latest batch in october