Black-eyed Susan, Gloriosa Daisy, Yellow Ox-eye Daisy 'Indian Summer'
Rudbeckia hirta
There are at least 12 of these plants in this location. All of them are prospering. The plants are about 3 to 4 feet tall with huge blooms. I am amazed that they are still growing at the end of February. (San Antonio, Tx.)
That is interesting to know. I figured they bloomed with long days (they bloom in June through Sept here). Indian Summer blooms are an almost incredible size, aren't they? They are short-lived perennials here, rarely making it past 2 seasons.
I am still a little confused by these not freezing, but then they are on the side of town that does not become as cold as it does where I live. The temperatures have not fallen into the upper or middle 20s this year so that could be the reason. They are short lived perennials here too. Mine lived only 2 seasons also. These have "eyes" that are smaller in comparison to the petal size than most. Thanks for your comments.
I found these flowers 2 years ago at my nieghbors, he gave me 1 flower for seeds. From that 1 flower, I have 2 incredible variations. The first to flower look exactly like your pictures but my favorites have a brilliant red flame like center. Can anyone tell me what has happened or if its common for this flower?
Sorry, I meant to get both pictures in 1 window. I'll post it here. Like I said, both of these flowers came from the same flower. They both bloomed the first year from seed. I'm hoping I can learn to predict which seeds will produce each flowers. Our plants never cease to amze me. I'll have seeds for trade as soon as I get them out this weekend.
Thanks
Hi JLD_II. The seeds you received could have been cross-pollinated with another type of rudbeckia causing some genetic variation. They are both attractive blooms.
Toxicodendron is correct. The plants' blooms do not always come true to the type of bloom from which you obtained them. This happens quitw frequently. I don't think you will be able to predict which bloom will appear by examining the seeds. However, you can take seeds from the one with the red flame-like center and plant them. Then from the blooms on the plants that have red flame-like centers, take seeds again and plant them, etc. hoping that you will eventually obtain a true form that will consistently produce the ones with red flame-like centers. Do not plant them close to the ones with solid yellow blooms. You can hand pollinate the blooms of the red flame-like ones with other red flame-like ones. yourself. I saw a rudbekia variety that looked like this one when I was researching the plant. I will try to find it again because I did not bookmark. When I do, I will let you know its name. Thanks for the photos of your lovely plants. and your comments.
This message was edited Saturday, Feb 28th 3:03 PM
Thanks everyone.
htop, man I hate all the time involved in trying to "stabilize" a hybrid. I've had the best luck using the "cubing" method. Crossing, backcrossing over and over. It takes several generations to do it correctly and a greenhouse or indoor growroom is a MUST IMO. It's rarely worth the effort and time sadly. Mothernature does a good job and she creates the loveliest hybrids. You never know what your going to end up with when it comes to hybrids. I do love Hybrid vigor that I usually end up with, but you also get some very pretty but very weak crosses too. Gardening is like a box of chocolates!LOLOL
We finally got out our "seed stash" yesterday hoping I had more seeds for trading with you all. It turns out that I did keep several seeds of both flower types and I'll make them available to you all asap. You folks in this thread get 1st pic if you like, just email me;).
I'm starting my wish list and seeds for sase, hopefully I'll have enough seeds for everyone and I really want some more passion flowers(Pasiflora) if anyone here has them. I'll get my act together asap. Thanks for the info folks, I'm a newbie here and need all the help I can get to make sure I follow all the rules etc.. Don't be shy when it comes to me breaking any rules btw.
Thanks again
I like your comment that "Gardening is like a box of chocolates!" I had never thought about it that way. You made me smile. :o) You are absolutely right. Stabilizing a hybrid is time consuming. That's why I do not mess with it myself. Have you read the acceptable use policy yet? If you can't find it, let me know and I'll point you in the right direction. I would love some seeds so you'll be hearing from me.
Hazel are you up really late or really early?
JLD, I guess I will pass on the seed offer, but thank you anyway. I am fortunate to have a reliable annual rudbeckia that seeds all over the place each fall and I move those around in early spring to the desired locations. Much easier that coddling seedlings. Of course, they are not as dramatic as the Indian Summer blooms, but just too darn easy to give up.
I hope you don't mind but I told a Dave's member in Olathe, KS (Brenda Lang, langbr is her ID) about you joining in case you two would like to get together out there. I don't have any Dave's members in my town, just me.
Susan
Susan, I am a night owl sometimes.
