Ann wrote:
I find this very interesting. What can make these
incompatabilities happen, othere than chromosome
count?
Ann
------------------------------------------------
I
don't know for sure, but I've always sort of assumed that it must have
something to do with the relatively strong self-incompatibility of most
beardeds. I haven't checked this but that's what I've been told anyweay. I
don't know if it's the right system for bearded irises, but I've read that in
some other plants, the pollen won't grow down the styles if it has an
incompatibility gene that matches one of the incompatibility genes that the
pod parent has. The plants own pollen would always have a match and so would
always be not-compatible. Offspring would have at least half of their pollen
matching (and so those pollen grains would be incompatible), sometimes
all would be incompatible. This system helps ensure that outbreeding to
unrelated irises will occur.
Another thing I've noticed is that I can cross
certain species only in one direction. For example, I was able to cross Iris
pallida 'Kupari' with Iris variegata only by using the pallida as the seed
parent. Why it is this way, I don't have a clue but I know that it also
happens in other plants. It's referred to as "unilateral compatibility" if you
want to try to find out more.
So, I try to just remember these difficulties
and plan my crosses accordingly. But as soon as you think you've got something
figured out, be prepared for more surprises! ;0)
