Could this be C. zoysii?

[maggiepie]

Maggi, it's times like this we can thank our lucky stars for the wonderful seedex/s.( what is the plural of seedex anyway?)
I have been having a lovely time with all the little surprises I have been finding.

[maggiepie]

I think I can, I think I can.........
This is worse than giving birth!!

[Maggi Young]

Hang in there, Helen, you're doing well.

The buds weree so dark in your first photo that I thought for sure the flowers would be darker than the "usual" form but now they are progressing it seems that they are going to be that gorgeous clear blue.
Either would have been good but I know you were keen to have the pale beauties. 

[maggiepie]

Maggi, I hope you're right but I am getting some weird colourings in my clematis at the moment.
Am assuming it is because of the cold and wet spring we have had.
I am somewhat heartened by the lightening up but can't for the life of me see them ending up the gorgeous blue in Kristl's pic.
Not to mention Ian's fabulous beauty.

[johnw]

Helen - Colours have been off here as well.  Rhododendron Dora Amateis flowered mainly pink this year instead of white when fully out.  It's done this in the past. Some yellow lepidotes have had a touch of pink too. Your zoysii could change dramatically next year.

We have been watching several seed grown magnolia crosses that weren't terribly exciting over the last few years, this year they have come into their own and are superb clean colours.   They say to expect their true colour in year two but I think 4 is safer here.  Size has improved dramatically too. I even named one this year.

You probably have the lustiest zoysii in the country.  25 years ago I got 3 flowers and was ecstatic.

johnw

[ranunculus]

Not to mention Ian's fabulous beauty.

His hair flows ... but that's as far as I will go!   

[maggiepie]

John, I hope you are wrong about it being the lustiest baby here, it would mean the kiss of death for sure.
I have to go out today and am half convinced there will be nothing left but a twig when I get home.

Glad to hear I am not the only one having colour problems this year.
I wonder why it only affects some plants.
Congrats on the magnolia seedlings.

Cliff, you are soooo bad.

[Lesley Cox]

Well done Helen, very well done. I'll show it to mine and hope it is so ashamed it starts into a better life.

[maggiepie]

Thanks Lesley, it must be beginner's luck.
Not sure if this is the final product.

[Maggi Young]

It is super, Helen.  If you can find any shoots without flower bud then I would advise you to take some cuttings.  Get tickling the flowers with a paintbrush, too.

[maggiepie]

Maggi, I don't think there are any shoots without buds, will have to get down on my belly and look after the rain stops.
Not sure how to use the paintbrush with these flowers, I can't even see an opening???

[ranunculus]

Beautiful zoysii, Helen ... if only you could get it to a show!!!

[Maggi Young]

Maggi, I don't think there are any shoots without buds, will have to get down on my belly and look after the rain stops.
Not sure how to use the paintbrush with these flowers, I can't even see an opening???

 It may be that a shoot with only a tiny bud, may still  make a cutting- take off any buds.

There isn't much of an opening... you'll need one of those tiny few-stranded brushes to do the trick.... or an old brush with most of the hairs removed!  

[Lesley Cox]

I know it sounds like sacriledge but to pollinate, one could carefully trim off the pointy nose bit with a small pair of scissors and so make a bigger opening. Not on your show plant of course. From what I've read, it seems that bees, rather then looking for the right opening, are inclined to make a hole in the lower part of the flower to get at the nectar, and so miss the pollen.

[maggiepie]

Thanks Cliff, the idea of my little baby holding its  own with the big boys chuffs me.

Maggi, I have noticed lots of ants around the plant, am wondering if they might pollinate.
Am starting to see why the seeds for this plant are pretty scarce.

Lesley, so glad you said that, I was thinking along those lines, would rather get some viable seed than keep the pretty flowers.
I have lots of pics