Thanks Jeff.
I thought branching and budcount might have had
something to do with it. But I can certainly
understand the curiosity motivation, because I'm
another one of those "daubers" he mentioned.
And yesterday I did get to try some purpureobractea
crosses. I used it's pollen on two different aphyllas,
and two different diploid seedlings (heavy on pallida
ancestry). I also tried pollen of one of those
diploids, on that first flower of purpureobractea. I'd
like to try some TB crosses with it, if they'll hurry
up and bloom. Otherwise I might have to refrigerate
some pollen.
I did some junonia crosses last season but didn't
start stratifying my seeds until late, so I've yet to
see any germinations.
Take care, Tom
------------------------------------------------
Jeff Myers wrote:
[Harald Mathes] 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
