Re: SPEC-X

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My thought to Spec-X classification would be that the term only applies to the first three (or some a low number) generations of crosses derived from crosses between Irises of different classes.  Generations after that would constitute a sufficiently large enough group to be a functioning fertile family.  Keep in mind each originating class is determined my morphological characterisitics and chromosome studies.

 

So for example crosses between Oncocyclus and Regelia would not be considered Spec-X (which they are currently not) beacuse they are more alike than different in many ways.  Once crosses with another bearded (dare I say beardless) class occurs then that would be considered a Spec-X.  The next three generations of seedlings derived from crosses and backcrosses between those seedlings and their involved species would be considered Spec-X.  The fourth generation would need to be considered a new class and given an appropriate name.  The confusion would come in where the original Spec-X obviously be considered part of this new classification but it's Registration as a Spec-X would not change.  The Spec-X designation would simply denote its generation status.

 

Also, I would not consider a cross between a TB and I. aphylla a species cross Spec-X for two reasons, although this is currently done.  The first being that TB's and I aphylla are both bearded classes.  Many TB's also have I. aphylla blood already in them.  Spec-X also denotes a certain degree of sterilty in the hybrid. A cross between I. aphylla and TB's would be expected to have fair fertility no different that that of a regular TB cross.  Am I incorrect?  Correct me if I am please.

Note that the class divisions are based on dissimilarities rather than similarities.  Sometimes a seedling derived from two species is simply that a hybrid.

 

I don't have the current AIS judges Handbook so I don't know what the Spec-X term encomapsses, but it is possible that AIS might need to hone is some.

 

 

 

-----Original Message-----
From: Tom Waters
Sent: Nov 22, 2010 9:28 AM
To: iris-species@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [iris-species] SPEC-X

 

Greetings all,

I've been acquiring various bearded and aril species to begin hybridizing with. Naturally, my thoughts are running ahead to some future time when I may have seedlings to be considered for registration and distribution.

When I was last involved in the iris world, the SPEC and SPEC-X classes and there respective awards were just getting going. Now that they have been around for sometime, I wonder if a consensus has developed around when it is appropriate to register a hybrid as SPEC-X, as opposed to another established class that it also meets the requirements for.

My understanding is that this is entirely at the registrant's discretion, but I would still like to hear everyone's thoughts. As a species enthusiast, how do your expectations differ if an iris is registered as SPEC-X rather than, say, MTB, AB, etc. Do you have in mind some notion of "distance from species" in distinguishing SPEC-X from other classes? If you are a judge, do you view award-worthiness differently for SPEC-X cultivars than for those registered in the established classes?

Although I am working with bearded and aril irises, the same questions arise with respected to the beardless classes as well.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

Tom