'Rhino Hide'

thehostagourmet · Post by **thehostagourmet** » Feb 18, 2008 11:00 am

Don, for those of us unfamiliar with this plant, could you tell us about its origin.

Don Rawson · Post by **Don Rawson** » Feb 18, 2008 11:43 am

I found 'Rhino Hide' (PPAF) as a very small plant growing among my Love Pat hostas several years ago. Although it exhibits some characteristics of Love Pat and other Tokudamas, in other ways it's different. The original tiny plant grew to a clump having 17 eyes, at which time I divided it and replanted all divisions in my garden. Every division has remained stable. Don

Original plant which was divided in summer 2004

Juvenile plant emerging in Spring

Post by **Chris_W** » Feb 18, 2008 11:48 am

Hi George,

Don posted about it here:

viewtopic.php?t=47267

Appears to be a sport of Love Pat.

And Don, I'm curious to know how tough or easy it is to get a patent application done for a plant. Since you listed it as PPAF in your most recent posting, does that mean it is being produced somewhere like Walters and they did the patent process for you? Let us know. Although I generally believe a plant patent can be a killer for a plant on the market unless it is truly unique and an instant seller, I can understand the desire to seek royalties and try to protect an investment.

Don Rawson · Post by **Don Rawson** » Feb 18, 2008 12:12 pm

Chris,
Back in 2004 I consulted with Bob Solberg, Peter Ruh, Clarence Falstad and others about options for marketing and possibly patenting Rhino Hide. They spoke of the advantages and disadvantages of a patent. At that time, Walters was quite interested in the plant. However, I had never divided it, so no one knew if all divisions would remain stable and continue to grow at the same rate. If I submitted the plant for t/c, I wanted to make sure I still had one growing in my garden for my own enjoyment, and from which to possibly sell OS. Also, I had not yet verified if the plant was fertile as a pod and pollen parent. So I divided the plant into single divisions that year and continued to grow it, as well as produced seedlings from it.
Since then, Walters has taken 'Rhino Hide' and is proceeding with t/c. They are pursuing the plant patent. Don

thehostagourmet · Post by **thehostagourmet** » Feb 18, 2008 12:19 pm

Don, so is it fertile? Has it been tested for being tetraploid?

eastwood2007 · Post by **eastwood2007** » Feb 18, 2008 12:41 pm

Beautiful plant! I'm hoping it will be available some time...

Don Rawson · Post by **Don Rawson** » Feb 18, 2008 1:44 pm

Rhino Hide has nice white flowers (actually whiter than the Love Pat hostas I grow). It produces a good supply of seeds, and is fertile as a pod and pollen parent. Don

jerry_br · Post by **jerry_br** » Feb 18, 2008 1:55 pm

Don,

Any idea when we might expect to see it on the market?

Jerry

Canadian-hosta-girl · Post by **Canadian-hosta-girl** » Feb 18, 2008 1:59 pm

lovely color and shape , stunning hosta .

what would be it's mature size ?

Don Rawson · Post by **Don Rawson** » Feb 18, 2008 2:19 pm

Never tested to see if it's a tetraploid or octaploid. (If it's only a diploid, I'd sure like to see how thick those leaves would be if converted to a tetraploid!!!) Leaf size- width 8", length 8". Plant size- width 30", height 20". Still too early to project an accurate launch date. The earliest would be summer 2009. Don

Marlys · Post by **Marlys** » Feb 18, 2008 11:57 pm

Don,

Fabulous Plant! I think Hallson members should get an exclusive release from Walter's Gardens pre-release to the GP (general public). Awesome Plant!

Thanx! George for asking & Thanx! Don for sharing!

Congratulations on your good fortune. I can't wait to have your plant in my garden.

MM