WORDS FROM A SMALL HYBRIDISER:

Hello fellow daylily lovers! My name is Clare Bewsher, and I'm a small hybridiser living in Australia, in the Lower Blue Mountains, in the state of New South Wales. Climate temperate (no extremes). By the time November 2005 arrives I'll have registered just 10 daylilies. As each year passes, I like to think that the few daylilies I register get a little better. I'm quite pleased with the look, etc., of three I want to register in mid-2006. For me it takes as little as 14 months or as much as 22 months for a seed to reach the size of a blooming-sized plant. It then takes me at least 3.5 years to grow on my best seedlings to a size where I can register them. The wait frustrates me.

SOWING A FEW SEEDS ONLY:

The possible coming of severe water shortages here is just *one* reason why I intend to sow only a few seeds per year. The second reason is that I'm getting older, and tasks take me more time to complete. The third reason is that I have a couple of other major "preoccupations", a situation common to many of you.

MAIN BREEDING GOALS:

Huge eyes in raspberry-red, pure red, maroon-black and washed lavender. Velvety-reds with wide, gold edges----preferably tallish: It's taken me around 5 years to get a few of these. Reverse bi-tones, bi-colours, and weird colour combinations: I've made some progress in all three categories. Weird colour combinations? For example, I like to see a lavender eye on an orange or *salmon*-pink background---a discordant combo in the eyes of some people. I have a couple in those colours already, and I'm excited about the fact that many of us are working on developing this colour pattern further. Hybridising is such fun! I keep records, and I like to plan 3 generations ahead (of course, putting pretty-on-pretty works well for some people). I use older cv's as well as newish ones in my programs.

SOME PERSONAL BACKGROUND---I DO NOT EFFERVESCE:

Here's the part that most people won't want to read. That might be a good thing (grin). All my life I've been a jack-of-all trades, and a serial "dabbler". That's serial "dabbler", not killer. I like movies, music, books, psychology, philosophy and art. Personal style is a little contradictory, and is probably inborn: I often have brief bursts of frenzied, social activity, followed by long stretches of monk-like isolation, in which I meditate or do a little writing. Oh, the joys of meditation! The high it gives me is just as intense as the high I get from my now-regular bouts of exercising. Now, for someone who likes an email joke I'm a surprisingly quiet person *in person*. I do not effervesce! I have considered putting that sign outside my door: "I do not effervesce", so visitors will not be disappointed (large grin). No, I do not effervesce. I do not fizz and crackle. I do not pop, hiss or gurgle in ways even remotely amusing. Nor do I make any other noises which might resemble something vaguely entertaining. I don't do bird calls. I'm no good at too much small talk, and I'm not really good at "big" talk. Only on the rare occasions is there an obvious bubbling-over of enthusiasm, usually for books or movies or daylilies. Sorry about that. All this makes for a potentially irritating companion, and I really consider myself lucky to have an understanding partner, and a few good friends.

SUPERFICIALITY AND STUFF OF THE COSMOS:

Despite my interest in mysticism and meditation, I have a surprisingly wide superficial streak, in that I love beautiful clothes and interesting/weird jewellery. The other day I bought an antique pair of earrings made from *green* turquoise, veined with brown. On the back of one of the earrings was stamped the word "Mexico". I like to think that Frida Kahlo herself might have worn those earrings, but what chance of that? No chance. Ah, Mexico! I would like to visit Mexico City and see the blue house where Frida was (probably) born. The last time (20 years ago) when I headed in the direction of Mexico I only got as far as Tijuana So, if I collect jewellery am I superficial? Before I relegate myself to the ranks of vain, old women, flaky poseurs, and assorted bubble heads, I tell myself that it's not so bad to like material things. After all, textiles and draperies and pretty trinkets are stuff of the cosmos. Like beautifully-designed houses. Like sleek race-horses, and sports cars. Like works of art. Like daylilies.

Clare Bewsher, small daylily breeder and incurable "waffler".