RE: AB: curious stray

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A stray with unknown parents. It should be an OGB- type AB from where it
came up, but it's so atypical of that type that I think it's probably a
balanced amphidiploid type. The other strays from the same dumping ground
were typical. Awful form here, but I love the burgundy brown and tarnished
brass colors. Looks great from a short distance away. It also is the only
iris I've ever successfully grown in a container. It seems happy in a
concrete formed planter. Not a real good stalk to fan ratio, though. I've
wondered if being grown in the container where it's subjected to the
extremes of the weather here causes some of the bad form and poor stalk/fan
ratio. It would sure get a dose at every stage of life. On the other hand
I hate to remove the only plant that's ever survived growing in a container.
It's done well enough in the three years it's been there that at least some
will have to be removed. If the form is always going to be that bad, it's a
case where knowing the parents might be useful. Might could make the right
cross to adjust for it and retain something of the color. Been a curiosity
for me.

Donald Eaves
donald@eastland.net
Texas Zone 7b, USA