RE: [SPAM] Re: HYB: Iris purpureobractea

Tom,
 
His primary motivations at the time seem to have been both curiosity and the desire to increase the number of flowers on arilbred inflorescences.
 
I'll transcribe Harald's  introduction in the article:
 
"Three closely related species of bearded iris show a potential for bringing improved branching into arilbred lines.
 
I am aware of the attitude of elite species iris enthusiasts:  To hell with the pollen daubers who have an itching to mix up all and everything they can get their hands on.  I am sorry, but I am one of those daubers, and the reason is pure curiosity.  By the way, I am very glad to know some of the species enthusiasts.  They are sometimes growing rarities I'd never thought possible, and to my surprise, I found them always to be very obliging and cooperative.  Following are some of my experiences and observations on of the less-known bearded iris species, Iris schachtii, I. purpureobracteata, and I. junonia . . . ."
 
As to experiences with purpuerobractea, all he said was that the first clone he grew had disappointing lavender flowers and blotchy bract coloration, since he'd read of a superior ice-blue clone with more solidly colored bracts.  Perhaps he's succeeded in attaining a better clone, 9 years on.
 
 
Jeff
 
 
----- Original Message -----
From: t*@yahoo.com
Sent: 5/13/2008 11:46:41 AM
Subject: [SPAM][iris-species] Re: HYB: Iris purpureobractea

Hello Jeff,
Sorry to hear about your unsuccessful attempts with
purpureobractea. Good luck with those two pods on
'High Sierra Snow'.
I might get a first try today, since the torrential
rains have let up. We don't have any TB's blooming
yet, but I'm thinking of using aphylla with it.
I'd seen that article title you mentioned, when I was
searching for information on Iris junonia last year,
but I didn't have a source for it. Do you know what
general reason, Harald Mathes had for recommending
those three species in particular (for arilbred
crosses)? I'm guessing maybe he'd seen some especially
promising seedlings after 10 years of working with it.
But what was it, that was especially promising?

And that's a good idea, about trying to contact
Harald. Many of the species beardeds that I've been
collecting, have come from him, through various
sources. Thanks for the information and suggestions.
Best wishes, Tom

Jeff wrote:
I like the purple bracts on PB, but also the fact that

the flower stalks are multi-branched and
long-blooming, even if the plants and flowers are
median-sized and a bit plain; it has potential...

...If you are interested, Harald Mathes wrote an
article titled "Ii. junonia, purpureobractea &
schachtii: Breeders Should Keep an Eye on
Them" in the 1998 Aril Society International Yearbook.
Though it gives no results of breeding attempts with
PB specifically, it does indicate he's been working
with it for the past 10 years or so. You might wish to
try and contact him through the Arilrobin, another
Yahoo iris group.

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