Seedling records do not have to be fancy, but they do need to be consistent. I use a spreadsheet for each group of seedlings, with one line for each seed or seedling. The goal is simple: months or years later, I want to know where the seed came from, when it was planted, how it was grown, and which photos belong to that plant.
Use A Code You Can Read Later
A code such as SSxTEM-03-18-22 tells a story when it is built carefully. In that example, SS can stand for Super Round as the pod parent, TEM for Temptation as the pollen parent, and 03-18-22 for the planting or project date. The exact format is less important than using the same format every time.
Minimum Columns I Like To Track
- Seedling code.
- Pod parent.
- Pollen parent, if known.
- Seed source.
- Date planted and germination date.
- Growing method, such as plug, tray, or pot.
- Transplant dates and fertilizer notes.
- Photo filenames or gallery notes.
- First bloom date and bloom observations.
Label The Plant And The Photo
The pot label is only half the system. I also try to keep the seedling code in the photo filename or photo notes. That keeps the plant, spreadsheet, and image history connected. It is especially helpful when comparing siblings from the same pod or seedlings from similar crosses.
When A Seedling Blooms
First bloom is exciting, but it is not the whole evaluation. I like to keep notes on repeat bloom, flower size, color stability, fragrance, branching, and how the plant handles the season. A seedling that looks ordinary at first can improve, and a flashy first bloom still needs time to prove itself.