Hello there all! I'd be typing this as I sat outside starring and observing my seedlings and the bees visiting all the open dahlias. Instead I'm inside, rain is looking like it could fall at any moment and something in the air is making my eyes go crazy.
As I sat out there earlier - I'm wondering if I should plant as I did this year in a clump 4 pots deep by 12 or so wide one after the other or run the plants in their pots in one skinny row? It would make knowing who came from what seed parent easier, but it would also take valuable space from my tubers. So I'm noodling on that thought.
I have a lot of buds setting right now. I have a few on the seedlings that have moved up to marble shooter size. I see dark petals under the translucent greeny yellow skin but I thought that before, only to have a light color emerge as a bloom. I'm getting impatient. One of these larger ones maybe from my seeds and I'd totally enjoy knowing what it is to be. Thus far everything has been opened centered. I'd truly love to see something fantastic grow but know that can be a very small percentage of what comes from bee pollinated crosses.
I'm finding this to be fun. I love watching and guessing. I've already pulled one plant out, I have one marked as a possible keeper just due to its happy school bus color; and another one because the petals, though nothing special, have an interesting color combination that is nudging me to consider saving it too.
Only 30 more blooms to watch for I think in the seedling bed. 
Sorry no photos today, it's all leaves and green buds on stems.
This is my jaunty angled bud. It's gotten bigger. If I look at my chart correctly it may be from a Ronnie seed that is a second generation Floret. Thus far it's been the largest bud in the seedlings and has grown each day. It's also got a sturdier stem then the other Lilliputians. What I've marked as my own collected seeds - no buds yet. Will be keeping an eye out as daily things change and then all of a sudden there is an opened bloom.
I'm enjoying observing these. I notice right now before the blooms are opening I have what look more like a wasp then a bee walking the closed bud. I wonder what it's job is or what it's munching. Maybe I have minute bugs I can't see.
I'm already eyeballing blooms I'd like to set aside for seed. I learned last year it's never too early to get an idea. I'm excited to see what will happen.
No new photos to post, I've hit a bit of a lull in new blooms. I have about 6-10 set on the plants but they haven't taken off just yet. I think they are just sitting and thinking I suppose.
We had rain last night, the heavy stuff stayed south of us. We turned off the air and it's just beautiful out. So windows are open and I hope this afternoon to spend time in the beds. Otherwise the plan is to weed tomorrow. I also need to open up the feet of all the dahlias for good airflow. Lots to do, hope it goes easily. I've got a ton of quacky/crab as I like to call it. To me it's similar. One day I'll have enough time to sit and learn the difference. Today is not that day. But it's always an opportunist growing right under my soaker hoses darn stuff. I could seriously do without it in my life. That and pigweed I've plenty of that stuff too.
Out of all my seedlings there is one I'm enjoying as it ages in the house. I don't even know how to classify it, but it's the happiest color both bright and mellow to me I think it's worth keeping. I look forward to more blooms. Now if the other ones would just get going.
May you all have a beautiful day wherever you are!
The seedlings are starting to go to town!
Seedling 5:
Plant height: about 3 feet
Bloom size: about 2"
Color: school bus yellow
Other: open center
Pretty color, another open center and small. I think this may be one of mine as well. I had a few seeds sprout from the same seed parent and that one wasn't a huge bloom size either, lots of blooms etc, but nothing wow in size and most interesting to see the colors it's picking up.
Seedling No 6:
Another yellow open center.
Plant height: almost 3 feet
Bloom size: about 2"
Color:clear lemon yellow
Other: open center
Nothing to write home about, decent color but small and open. Makes you wonder who these seed parents were visited from. Similar to the other yellow I've got growing.
I may be pulling these soon, but I think I will wait for a second bloom and see what happens. If very similar to the first I may give a yank. They are ok, but nothing I'd have to have. The petals aren't even around the bloom and nothing is truly symmetrical. I know there are particular words for this and I'm still learning so I apologize for not using the vernacular. Of course I could just leave the lot and proactive with cutting off until harvest. I'm not one who likes to get rid of healthy plants, but maybe I should be cut throat and say goodbye. Yes, I'm waffling. It's a plant Scarlet! Ah well, with time I'll figure out my thoughts on it.
I may have more to show in the next bunch of hours. I've got one that intrigues me the way the bud is hanging on the plant. It's small and not doing much, but it's a different color outside to it and just hangs jauntily. It may not be good for a bloom angle in the end, but this one piques my interest. Unsure why.
Happy day to you all!
Love this one's color! Not really the open center but will give this one the benefit of the doubt but the colors showing range from a nice pink with almost a magenty undertones. It's not blue pink nor baby pink and this one tends to be a hotter that I like for pinks in the garden. Makes you wonder who the bee visited to make this one. The bloom is tiny which is making me think if it is one of mine: I have two in mind that the seed parents could be and the size is similar to those. Still looking for my elusive planting list. Yes the pots are still tagged but they are in the ground and I'm not venturing that far down to look for the number.
What I am doing is learning how to make this better for next year and see what happens for these guys. I'm enjoying the excitement that is with something new to the world. I think I will do this again next year. It does bring enjoyment when the world is pretty meh. I do have two more that may be open by tomorrow. One is currently reading as another yellow and the other possibly a white. But those are the outer petals in the unfurl. Patience is needed on my part and we all know I am not a patient person. Makes me wonder how I waited until delivery to find out who my babes were during pregnancy. Even my doctor thought that was weird. Whatevs - there are too few great surprises in this world I appreciate!
Right now it looks like some rain so I won't water until tonight if need be.
Stay cool as you can! Enjoy my little blooms. 🌼
