Lids newsletter
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| LIDS NEWSLETTER
John Stahl, Editor Spring 2007 Hello fellow daylily dabblers-After a ridiculously mild fall, winter finally arrived with a vengeance. Then Punxatawny Phil threw us a curve ball, indicating we were to have an early spring. After a rather nasty ice storm conditions finally started to improve and warmed up in late March. Within a few days plants seemed to fly out of the ground, with crocus, snowdrops, scilla and chionodoxa leading the way. Spring, it appeared, was finally here! Can daylily blooms be far behind? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Confessions of a Neophyte Hybridizer By John Price I’ve been growing daylilies seriously for four years, and like many of us I’ve been bitten by the hybridizing bug. I wrote Currier McEwen two years ago to say hello. He was 101 and was my dean in medical school in 1950. After retiring he became an avid daylily gardener and hybridizer, as well as a world authority on Siberian irises (he published a book on them). Many of you knew him. He wrote me back, and one thing he said was “if you want to live a long life, hybridize, because here in the north when you make a cross you have to live another three years to see the results!” So, summer before last I began making crosses, pretty much crossing everything with everything else. By far the most prolific pod parent was FRANS HALS. In September Barbara and I were going away on a two week trip. The seed pods were nearly ripe. What to do? I called Paul Limmer who told me he had the same problem once, and what he did was wrap the pods with duct tape to hold them closed until he got back! I did the same thing and it worked! I harvested over 3000 seeds, far more than I could grow myself. As I picked the seed pods I immediately put the seeds in 2 inch by 2 inch plastic baggies (from a craft store), labeled them, and put them in the refrigerator to winterize them. In the future I’m going to dry the seeds with a paper towel before putting them in the baggie. They do better when dry. Last winter I planted about 1400 seeds in Pro-Mix in tree trays, 50 to a tray, 5-1/2 inches deep. I turned an upstairs bedroom into a greenhouse (we have no basement) where I set up tables and laid out about 30 trays. For light I relied on -2- sunlight and an overhead fixture. The light was inadequate, and along with my using no fertilizer contributed to my seedlings being small and spindly. I had no problems with fungus or fungus gnats. I transplanted 300 of them outdoors in May. This year I made fewer crosses and began concentrating on crossing spiders and Ufs with late flowers like SANDRA ELIZABETH and MARGARET PERRY. Barbara thought I nearly ruined that upstairs bedroom last year (looked fine to me!), so this year she switched me to the playroom. Instead of tree trays, I have my seeds planted in 3 gallon pots, 20 seeds to a pot. I’m using ceiling fluorescent lights (still not the best), and I’m fertilizing by putting 50 drops of liquid Miracle-Grow houseplant food in each gallon of water when I water the seedlings. I’m eager to see results, but I’m going to have to wait another two years! MOLDOVAN’S MAGIC By Julie Wilson The passing of Steve Moldovan last July was an immeasurable loss to the daylily world. I was privileged to meet him at a Can-Am Convention a few years ago, where he was one of the featured speakers. I remember the event well and Steve’s commentary made for a skillfully delivered and captivating presentation. He was a delightful and sensitive speaker, expertly conveying his love for daylilies and his vast knowledge of their history, culture and future. Steve had an engaging smile and embraced his audience with a sense of friendship and goodwill. I was impressed by the dynamics of his hybridizing program, which encompassed so many important aspects of daylily culture i.e, disease and pest resistance, color saturation, sun fastness, bud count, flower form, branching, foliage, fragrance, fertility needs, growing conditions, hydration and increase. Steve established and maintained rigid criteria for a cultivar to be considered for registration with the American Hemerocallis Society. Without question he was extremely discriminating as to what qualities a plant must possess to be rendered garden worthy. For this reason, his cultivars make a wonderfully colorful and beautiful presence in the landscape and garden. By now you’ve probably guessed that Moldovan daylilies rank among my very favorites. Here at Fanicap Gardens we grow twenty-two of his cultivars, many of which are for sale. All are superior top-notch performers, easy to grow, and seem to thrive even in adverse conditions. Steve Moldovan- A remarkable daylily hybridizer, A dedicated gardener and plantsman, A kind and sensitive man, Surely we will all miss his presence in the daylily world! (This was submitted for publication by Tom Mennella. He was introduced to daylilies by this author Julie Wilson who is a hybridizer in Fort Edward, New York. She is a prolific writer with articles such as this constantly appearing in the Hudson Adirondack Daylily Society’s newsletter “Update”. She asked Tom if LIDS would be interested in receiving copies or perhaps original articles of interest for our newsletter. In appreciation Tom -3-
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Hybridizing and Culture TipsPollen may be frozen for future use. Pull a stamen from a flower, place on a paper towel and allow to dry for an hour or so. You may shake or scrape the pollen into a small ziplock bag or gelatin capsule, and place in the freezer. A Qtip or small brush may be used to retrieve the pollen when you decide to use it. Seeds can be stored in the refrigerator(not the freezer) for long periods of time. Dry seeds for an hour or so before placing them in small ziplock bags. Place a small piece of white paper towel in with the seeds. This will absorb any moisture and the chlorine in the paper will help to prevent mold. In our Zone 7a, plant seeds directly into the ground after Thanksgiving. Do this after the first frost. It is best if the seeds stay dormant throughout winter. For thrips- Use Bonide, a granular preparation. Put down in late spring, along with fertilizer. This is a systemic and should prevent thrips from being a problem. Water, water, water- Daylilies can grow under all types of conditions...they are pretty tough. However, a lot of water during the growing season will reward you with more and bigger blooms, as well as rebloom. Check the pH of your soil. If it is acid, as it may well be on Long Island, put some lime in the hole when planting your daylilies. Also use alfalfa for kick-starting your plants. Use manure for planting. It is key to daylily growth. When you receive new plants, try soaking them for a few days in a SUPERthrive solution. This tip comes from Lisa Bourret in Maine. This is not a fertilizer, but vitamins and hormones for plants. This product has been around for well over 60 years. After planting use SUPERthrive with any fertilizer program that you use. It is highly concentrated and a little goes a long way. -4- An Article from Marilyn ZuckermanLast year I received a phone call from a guy named Tom Healey who wanted to visit my garden with a few friends right after the convention. “Where are you calling from?” I asked. “We’re in Albany,” said he. “Boy, you’ve got a long ride home!” said I. “We’re coming by bus”, said he. He neglected to say what size bus. Tom sounded as gracious as could be and I couldn’t wait for that Sunday when “a few people” would come and visit my garden. After calling and warning my neighbors not to be scared of a bus coming down the street, I proceeded to enjoy the convention. At the registration desk I was very much taken by a young Texas fellow who had just begun growing daylilies on his 35,000 acre “plot”, and was very enthusiastic about the whole “dern” flower scene. He parked himself at the registration desk and became the most helpful and hospitable person I have ever met—just honest southern charm. After I poked my head into the boutique, took the Judges II clinic, had my picture taken with the other serious students, and attending the banquet, I can seriously say I had a thoroughly wonderful experience. Many kudos to the chairpeople; the convention was great. If you recall, that Sunday was sunny and gorgeous. I spent the morning deadheading and cultivating, and later put out pitchers of iced tea and lemonade with plates of cookies for my Albany busload. And a big busload it was. People just came and came and came. In addition, many New Jerseyites visited also. It was wonderful. They ooed and aaed, took photographs, chatted with me and Landon. I loved every minute. I was very nervous about two new gardens I had just planted. One was an operatic garden and the other an old Bible garden. But my guests loved them and even inspired one gal to plant a literature bed of daylilies. Instead of perennials planted among the hems, I have many, many cats all around: yellow, black and white, green, pink, grey, resin, concrete, metal. A New Jersey cat lover made herself quite at home for a while. I’m sure her convention experience was a total success. This year I ordered nine more operatic hems and foresee a lot of transplanting. Come and visit. I love company. Restaurant Review by the Gastritic GourmetIn Rockville Centre stands Bigelow’s Seafood, a venerable institution serving the best in fried seafood since 1939. Russ Bigelow, having worked in hotels in New England learning the true art form of frying seafood, introduced the Ipswich clam, -5- also known as the soft shell clam to Long Island. The restaurant was an instant hit. In 1960 Muriel brought John to his first meal at Bigelow’s. This was the beginning of a love affair with both Muriel and Bigelow’s! After retiring in 1964, Russ sold the restaurant to Tom Brown who continued frying the seafood in the same New England tradition. Clientele continued to expand, and the restaurant’s popularity increased. Tom retired in 1991 and sold the business to the Andreolas family, who continues to cook the seafood in its original form, thereby keeping Bigelow’s associated with the best fried seafood and fried Ispwich clams on the island. On the menu are many forms of fresh fish, including shrimp, scallops, flounder, calamari, and some of the best, if not the only fried oysters to be found on Long Island.Two clam chowders-- both New England(white) and Manhattan(red) are served along with one of the best lobster bisques found anywhere. There are a few non-fish items for the non-fish crowd, including hamburgers, hot dogs and grilled cheese on a bun. Excellent cole slaw, super French fries, and a fresh lettuce and tomato salad are the requisite side dishes. Several pies and ice cream comprise desserts, and many non-alcoholic beverages, as well as real beers are also on the menu. The setting is simple, a U-shaped bar surrounding the open kitchen, with about twenty seats. You can follow the fresh fish, taken from the fridge, prepared quickly in their secret coating, placed in the baskets to be cooked quickly in vegetable oil. Prices are moderate, with platters of fish and fries or cole slaw from $9 to $15. Ipswich clams are sold at market price. Bigelow’s is open 7 days a week, from about 11 AM to 9 PM. If you arrive between 5:30 and 6:00, you will be seated immediately. After that seats fill up quickly. The restaurant is near the LIRR, so it gets heavy commuter traffic. Bigelow’s Seafood, 79 North Long Beach Rd(south of Sunrise Hwy), Rockville Centre, NY, 516-678-3878. Highlights of 1939New York World’s Fair Opens “Gone With The Wind” opens on the big screen “The Little Fishes” was a musical hit New York Yankees win the World Series Houses sold for $3850 Bigelow’s Seafood Restaurant opens on the South Shore of Long Island
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March Meeting ReviewDan Bachman of Valley of The Daylilies put on a super program for us on March 24th. Dan, who is noted as a hybridizer of spiders and unusual forms, treated us to a wonderful talk, showing us his new introductions, as well as seedlings that comprise his breeding program. It was very interesting to see the progression from generation to generation. His comments were laced with humor and a good time was had by all. Thank you Dan! COMING EVENTSMay 15th- Members only auction. 7 PM at the Planting Fields Horticultural Center June 16th- 50/50 plant sale; Flower show preparations- 1 PM at the Hort center July 7-8th- Local garden Tours July 13-15th- Region Four Annual meeting in Berlin, CT – Hosted by the Connecticut Daylily Society
July 22nd- LIDS Flower Show- The Hort Center July 25-28th- AHS National Convention- Minneapolis, Minnesota August 15-17th- Plant Sale Preparation August 18th- Public Plant Sale- Farmingdale University, 10 AM –3PM September 15th- LIDS Barbeque- Paul & Jeff Schmidt’s home in Shirley, NY September 29-30th- Hofstra Flower and Garden Show 
H. Asterisk, Lambert 1985 |