November 2012 in the Southern Hemisphere

[Lesley Cox]

Thanks Ian. Inevitably I tried to use the system just at the wrong moment. In a hurry with some papers to sign at solicitor's office but will have another go later.

[vanozzi]

A few of my dianthus (pinks) seedlings are showing promise.There are 200 seedlings to flower this year from selected crosses.The seed used was over 5 years old that I have kept from crosses done when living in Tasmania.

[Hillview croconut]

Some lovely flowers there Paul. Have you considered thrying to get them into commerce?

Cheers, Marcus

[arillady]

Yes please Paul I will be interested in buying some of your crosses or seeds of them. One of my loves.

[Paul T]

They're excellent Paul.  Great form and brilliant colours.  I'd be interested too.

[John Kitt]

Put me on your mailing list too.

John

[Lesley Cox]

I've always had a fondness for the stripey ones. The rich red is very good too - well so are the others.

[Lesley Cox]

Here we go again, hopefully.

[vanozzi]

Thanks for the interest re my dianthus seedlings.There will also be a range of border carnations and some standards bred from the old Australian Fairweather and Avonmore stock.I'll propagate some of the better ones and will be in touch with those who have shown interest.

Marcus--quite some time back I was approached by a company wanting to market them via micro-propagation, but I wasn't particularly interested.I had some beauties then, including some very fine laced pinks and border picotees.  The laced stock is gone, but I am waiting on a grand total of 16 border picotees to flower this year, both y/g and w/g.The clove scent is superb, well do I remember a blue/grey that I had and intended to market named Beyond Blue, proceeds going to the organisation of that name.

[fermi de Sousa]

Hi Paul R,
I was wondering what sort of growth habit your pinks have - are they suitable for a rock garden or more for the border?
'Beyond Blue' sounds a great thing.
cheers
fermi

[Mini bulb lover]

Paul R,

You pinks seedlings are beautiful. They're tough little plants! I had one in my garden (grown from seed) that flowered until the tree canopy put it in almost full shade. It survived (without flowering) for about 8 years until I finally moved it to full sun and it's flowering again. It survived the drought with no supplementary watering.
Please let me know when they're released. 

Lesley,

I hope those beautiful flowers travel well.

[Hillview croconut]

Paul - do you still have your Beyond Blue plant?
 I think Pinks have a special place in Australia and yours would do well commercially if they look good in a pot. That seems to be the micropropagator's measure these days.

You weren't tempted to get yours "out there" to a wider public? (And make some money?) Its the way of the future I'm afraid and why not jump on board.

Anyway I look forward to seeing some more postings.

Cheers, Marcus

[Mini bulb lover]

DBI Wanganui Gem which flowered for me in September is now flowering again! I'm glad I obtained this little beauty from Fermi.

[Lesley Cox]

'Wanganui Gem' is a great little plant, bred by the late Jean Stevens of Wanganui in the North Island. She bred other fine plants too, including the first true pink tall bearded var. From that one, all the modern pinks have come by circuitous routes. The advantage about WG is that reblooming quality as it also blooms in autumn most years. It should be used, maybe is, to introduce the remontant (reblooming) characteristic into little bearded irises.

[Lesley Cox]

Having another try.