Thanks for sharing in my excitement Jim. I sure have
been having a lot of fun watching each one of these
hybrids open. And even though they're not the easiest
of crosses, I certainly plan on trying more of them.
My ultimate goal would be to start a "fertile family"
(to borrow the term from "The World of Iris" book) of
52 chromosome amphidiploids of this type (analogous to
the SDB's). Chromosome doubling of either this latest
hybrid or 'Paltec' would be one way to create such a
fertile amphidiploid.
My first two hybrids of this type are a little
more puzzling for me. The first, registered as 'Flying
Dragon' has some pollen but hasn't ever set any seeds.
>From its size and other appearance, I have a feeling
that it may be from tetraploid Tall Bearded pollen.
This would make it an unbalanced sesquidiploid(?) with
12 pairs of bearded chromosomes and 14 unpaired
chromosomes from tectorum. David Zlesak (from the Rose
Hybridizers Association forum) was going to try to do
a chromosome count for me, but the piece I sent him
didn't make it. I'll have to try again.
The second hybrid is even more puzzling. It didn't
have any cresting, only beard. But I'm fairly certain
that it's a hybrid because it's from tectorum seed! It
also has the flared spread wide open standards that
are typical of these hybrids. The pollen parent was
supposed to be (Iris pallida 'Kupari' X Iris
variegata) but I'm thinking it's much more likely
(from appearance) that it was really Iris furcata
(another supposed 24 chromosome diploid bearded)--
which I was using at the same time. In any case, this
hybrid had 3 fans, all of which sent up bloom stalks
but no increase -- it "bloomed out". The rhizomes have
been sitting leafless for nearly a year, but they are
still firm. So there is hope! Here's another odd
part... this hybrid had what appeared to be very
productive (of pollen) anthers. So, since it looked
like it was doing its "swan song", I tried selfing all
of the flowers. Result - one healthy looking seed, as
yet still ungerminated.
So to sum up, here's what I've gathered together so
far of this type:
1) 'Paltec' (Denis 1928) 26 chromosome diploid hybrid
2) 'Flying Dragon (Silvers 2004) I'm guessing might be
a 38 chromosome sesquidiploid (makes some pollen)
3) Iris tectorum 'Alba' X Iris furcata(?) that has
lots of pollen but "bloomed out" so maybe be a goner
4) The most recent hybrid (Iris pallida 'Kupari' x
Iris cengialtii) X Iris tectorum. I would expect this
one to be 26 chromosome like 'Paltec'.
I think that once I get even just one fertile
amphidiploid, this group would be able to increase in
numbers dramatically.
Oh, one thing I forgot to mention about this last
hybrid, it has pretty good fragrance that must be
coming from the pallida side of its parentage.
I hope I've inspired you to try some of these crosses
too!
Take care, Tom
_______________________________________________
Jim Murrain wrote: Incredible photos showing off this
new iris! The one with the beard/crest blew me away! I
hope you continue to work/play along these lines. I
sure enjoy the fruits of your labor!
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