HYB:Improvements

In a message dated 6/3/2006 7:17:30 P.M. Central Standard Time, fjmjedwards@worldnet.att.net writes:
<<Study your seedlings and study their parents.  If the seedling is not an improvement over the parents, the world doesn’t need it.>>
 
Maybe this depends a lot on an individual's definition of improvement!  It is something I've heard since I started hybridizing so it's been around for awhile. 
 
This is a really good rule to keep in mind when breeding for more ruffled blues, etc.   But there are several situations where it doesn't necessarily hold true. 
 
1)  Checking your seedling against it's parents is of no value if the parents are inferior to others of their class.  Start with the best you can afford.  But know that if you start with 30 year old blue irises, it is highly unlikely you will produce anything that outshines those that are currently "top of the line."  Breeders of these beauties are already 6-10 years beyond them when they are introduced. 
 
2)  Goals. . . and I guess this speaks more to the definition of improvement!  Many hybridizers are not looking for more ruffles or more lace etc.  There are many worthwhile goals such as improved branching, bud count, bloom sequence, better substance, etc. 
 
Example:  ANOTHER BRIDGE X ENCHANTER.  Another Bridge is one of my rebloomers which was introduced in 2005.  Enchanter is an awesome iris (my opinion) by Barry Blyth.  It's sibling Dignity Dancer has been known to rebloom in warm climates, also it's parent Louisa's Song.  It is not within my expectations for the children of this cross to have better form or pattern than Enchanter.  But I can assure you that should I get children with the rebloom ability of AB that is half way between on form, I will introduce them! 
 
 
 
 
________________________________________________________
If you don't cross them, you can't  plant them! 
Betty W. in South-central KY Zone 6 ---
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