Page 10 - Free State Spring 2022 - June FINAL

THIS BUSINESS OF OURS (Continued)

Hosta Liners Waiting For Warm Spell

20 years from the date of the application, not from the date kind of idiot naming. Supposedly it’s to keep us from using
of issue. That is what the law says. According to that, the the common name in English in advertising and in the future
patent for Limelight Hydrangea should have run out this when the patent has run out. I suppose it’s like that nursery
year. I can’t find the date of the application, just the date of that kept putting expired patent numbers on plants to scare
issue. But if it takes anywhere near to a year to get it issued, us away from propagating them. A practice which is against
Limelight is done. Time to make your own cuttings? It’s up to the law as I understand it.
you; do your own research first. I am not a lawyer.
Because I had decided long ago to pot our rooted cuttings
Anyway, what brought this to my mind was Larry ordered into 1 gallons during the winter, this gets us extra and early
some Hydrangea paniculata Limelight Prime ‘Smnhph’ growth starting in February. Plants like Japanese Hollies,
PP32511. No ‘Smnhph’ is not misspelled, that is what is printed Azaleas, Crape Myrtles and things like Forsythia respond so
on the webpage. It’s a new day! One I didn’t expect. A plant well to it. We get a really noticeable size advantage from
breeder finally did it, came up with a name that is totally it. However, there is a danger in the process, and it has
unpronounceable. They have gone beyond a “noise for a reared its ugly head again this year. Fertilizer-sensitive plants
name” that I have been accusing them of. It’s even beyond like azaleas begin to show soluble salt damage in March.
gibberish, it’s just a useless string of letters. They have out Because high temperatures in the clear covered poly houses
done the singer, “formerly known as Prince” who for a time have caused the slow-release fertilizer to “dump”. The cure is
used an unpronounceable symbol for his name. Also, the US to watch closely for any signs of damage and anticipate it,
patent office ought to be slapped down for allowing such by keeping a close eye on high temperatures during sunny
foolishness. Shame on us as an industry if we go along with days. About the time there is an inch or so growth on the
this kind of stuff. I just found 3 more hydrangeas with this (continued on next page)

10 SPRING 2022 • Free State News