The Shade Cloth is Removed

Good Evening Daylily Friends,

Over the past several days the weather has been cold. In fact, today I felt uncomfortable wearing my shorts. I thought, if only I had on my long pants! I just was just plain C-O-L-D. It seemed to me that the daylilies in the Greenhouse must have felt the same way. Needless to say, the Greenhouse daylilies, which include my new introductions, require warmth and heat. So, I decided to remove the "Shade Cloth." Fortunately, my good friend David Arthur volunteered to help me with this project.

Before David came over I started by removing the rope that held the Shade Cloth in place. This was difficult, but was accomplished in about 30 minutes. You can see what the Greenhouse looked like from the outside with the Shade Cloth, and what the Greenhouse looked like inside with the Shade Cloth in place. It seems to me that with the Shade Cloth in place, the Greenhouse is a bit darker. The Shade Cloth provides about a 30% blockage of the sun. So, this is why the daylilies do not get quite as much "sun-nourishment" as you might choose with the Shade Cloth in place. The Shade Cloth, however, helps prevent an excessive build-up of heat during the summer months. With the Shade Cloth removed, the Greenhouse immediately increased its warmth and heat by almost a third. You can see the difference by going inside the Greenhouse with the Shade Cloth removed. My friend David and I are enjoying the full sun in the Greenhouse with no Shade Cloth. Hopefully, with no Shade Cloth the seedlings will grow faster over the next two weeks, and will be ready for transplantation outside by September 15. As I may have previously noted, about 600 to 700 of the best seedlings will remain in the Greenhouse in one-gallon pots until they bloom next spring.

Well I would also like to introduce you to my Seedling 7-196. Last year I tried to ignore 7-196, but it just kept producing those red eyed and red edged daylilies. In fact, I ignored it until its last bloom, and then I took its photograph. This past spring I again tried to overlook it, but it just could not be overlooked. Although it is only 22 inches in height, it stands well above its clearly arched foilage. It has three-way branching, and has about 15 buds. The flowers are 5" in diameter. I have decided to call this little beauty, KELLEY'S VALENTINE. My daughter Kelley has always enjoyed Valentines's Day. I have always bought Diana special gifts on Valentine's Day, and I also did the same for Kelley when she lived here at home before becoming "independent." Kelley always liked Valentine cards, and she likes the special meaning of being close to those she loves on this special day. So, I think I have a good name for Seedling 7-196: KELLEY'S VALENTINE!

Well that is the best of the good news today from the Kennesaw Mountain Daylily Garden.

Bill