Freaky flowers - wacky aberrations

[Carlo]

Oh I know what to say to that photo gallery...

"I'll have one of each, please..."

[Michael J Campbell]

Mark, here is a link to the page about the cuttings.

http://www.srgc.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=2384.msg54044#msg54044

[TheOnionMan]

Mark,there was no interest in them so I disposed of most of them,only about 30 left. I tried showing them but the judges always disqualified them for one reason or another.(Alpine plant judges do not like Lewisias)I then tried showing them in the noncompetitive classes and got some silver and gold awards.
In the end I got disillusioned and got rid of most of them. I have some growing outside in a scree bed and they are doing fine.
I don't have a nursery any more as I am retired now. The local Development authority took my nursery land to build a factory, and then didn't bother.'Typical.'

GASP! What a terrible shame that many or most of these don't exist any more.  And it's a shame about your land too!  Did you ever contact any American nursery sources about your hybrids?  Some of the Lewisia hybrids other than rediviva crosses, such your bracycalyx hybrids, are particularly pleasing, as are the Lewisia wallowensis color forms .  There are some companies now specializing in introducing plants from breeders around the world (the breeders get a royalty of plants sold) such as Plant's Nouveau (http://www.plantsnouveau.com/)... it's an interesting concept.  I think about how Lewisa 'Little Plum' is in every nursery, every big box home and garden improvement center, in Grocery store floral departments, and it's not even a particularly pretty plant... America could use hybrids like yours.  Are the ones that fasciated this year just a few plants, or of a particular cross?  Thanks for the link of stem propagation... I haven't read it yet, but will do so tonight.  Thanks again. 

If there is any consolation, please be sure that any plant lover and rock gardener who sees your gallery, will be astounded and greatly appreciate all the work and the subsequent insight into the possibilities of plant breeding.  Congratulations!!!  I hope it is ok,  I posted a link to your gallery on the young NARGS Forum, in their Lewsia topic.

[Michael J Campbell]

I hope it is ok,  I posted a link to your gallery on the young NARGS Forum, in their Lewsia topic.

No problem Mark,Thanks.

[Stephenb]

Another wacky aberrataion turned up today - the twistedstem nettle (Urtica dioica)

[TheOnionMan]

Another wacky aberrataion turned up today - the twistedstem nettle (Urtica dioica)

Stephen, a weird one... maybe a rare and unusual intergeneric cross with Streptopus?    Even though the stems are twisted, looks like it'll be just as effective at stinging.

[Martinr]

Michael, thanks for that link. I clearly missed that thread when it was originally posted. Great way to propagate and less likely to lose the parent as well. Some of your hybrids live on in a collection I acquired last year and show judges will yet again be challenged to accept them once I've grown them on a bit. Just one example below

[Michael J Campbell]

Martin, you have no chance with the judges, I tried many times before giving up. It seems that Lewisias have gone out of fashion.

[Stephenb]

Another wacky aberrataion turned up today - the twistedstem nettle (Urtica dioica)

Stephen, a weird one... maybe a rare and unusual intergeneric cross with Streptopus?    Even though the stems are twisted, looks like it'll be just as effective at stinging.

  I can assure you it was effective...

[Maggi Young]

Martin, you have no chance with the judges, I tried many times before giving up. It seems that Lewisias have gone out of fashion.

Have a look at this year's results frm the Aberdeen SRGC show, Michael......no problem with them there!

[Michael J Campbell]

AAAH Maggi, but that is Scotland, try them further south or at this side of the pond and you will get a different response. They don't like the hybs.