I think you can rule out the Canadian theory as per breeding iris.
These were food crop scientists, not ornamental flower people. I know
of all the Canadian Iris breeders, and none of them were involved in
any of this, even though one of them also bred corn varieities. Of
course that doesn't mean that one of them couldn't have taken a plant
down there, but then so could have anyone.
Chuck Chapman
--- In iris-species@yahoogroups.com, Diane Whitehead <voltaire@...> wrote:
>
> I recall from my genetics class back in the 1950s that Canadian
> breeders would use Costa Rica during the Canadian winter so they could
> halve the time required to develop a new hybrid. Maybe someone was
> working on iris?
>
> I googled and found there is a very popular hotel there called Iris.
> Maybe the Italian sisters who own it planted some iris to match the
> name. Here is what Fodor says about the hotel:
>
> This arty hotel, on the hill above the road to Playa Langosta, is like
> a trip around the world. The four funky cabinas are painted in primary
> colors and decorated with distinct ethnic themes by the creative
> Italian sisters who own the hotel. Aerobics, stretching, kickboxing,
> dance, art, and yoga sessions are taught on-site, and a massage
> therapist is on hand in case it all gets too strenuous.
>
> Diane Whitehead
>
