Re: seedling of Bold 2009 MTB

 

I've tried growing a few of both...............that was probably a good 10 to 15 years ago. What I've been told by other iris lovers is the reason they don't bloom here is because they don't get enough of the chill factor they need (in the winter) in order for them to bloom. We have warm winters here, kind of spring-like actually. Occasionally we may get a night that dips to freezing or even into the mid 20's. 
 
Now TB's that have the 'Aphylla' gene, will usually dwindle away to 'nothing' in a year to a year and a half here. They can't seem to take the 100 + degree tempts we have which lasts for over a period of 5-6 months out of the year. Unfortunately, quite a few great TB's, even some Dyke Medal winners, just can not survive here if they have that 'Aphylla' gene. Fortunately, besides TB's, we can easily grow BB's, LA's, Arilbreds, and Spurias. :_) 
 
I've heard the opposite is true too......that quite a few iris introductions developed in warm climate states will not perform well in the colder climates states. The colder climates NEED the iris to have that "Aphylla' gene in order to make it through the cold winter and bloom the following year.
 
I'm thinking that in order for a TB to grow and perform well in both the hot AND cold locations (states), they may need one 'Aphylla" gene and one 'hot climate surviving' gene in there DNA. That may possibly hold true for MTB's as well.
 
~ Margie V.
Oro Valley, AZ.
 
 
----- Original Message -----
From: j*@comcast.net
Sent: Tuesday, September 01, 2009 5:34 PM
Subject: Re: [iris-photos] seedling of Bold 2009 MTB

 

Margie,
What kind of MTB's did you try to grow, diploids or tetraploids ? Our
tet MTB's thrive under the very same growing conditions as the TB's.
They have the characteristic of loosing their foliage in very hot or
very cold conditions in mid summer or mid winter. the term 'aphylla'
literally translates as "leafless"! The rhizomes remain firm and as
soon as the weather warms up/ cools down the foliage returns and so do
the bloom stalks. Now most of our iris are several generations away from
the species so some tend to die down early, others do not.
Vicki


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