First, I am sure we all wish to thank you for your work with the Seed Exchange.
It is a notoriously labor-intensive job, although I, myself, was unaware it also involved quite so much space. Your contribution is critically important-- you know this-- and is greatly appreciated. There should be no doubt about that in anyone's mind. All those who make contributions to SIGNA are to be valued.
Now, I would not, myself, characterize my response as angry, but as frustrated, and disappointed, and as bewildered, as to why one Iris species which interests me particularly, and for which I am looking for seeds of a particular form, has apparently to some degree been banned from the sale, when other water irises, which might arguably be considered equally invasive, are not.
It is, therefore, useful to hear that you have found these seed tend to host pests, although I, myself, have seen the verbena bud moth problem only in SIGNA seeds of I. fulva, albeit that has occurred twice.
It is also useful to know that demand tends to be low for I. pseudacorus, so that managing what one gathers has been a disproportionate volume of donations of infested or unneeded seeds of the typical form becomes tedious and a waste of your time and space. Who knew?
I assume the insistence on "named" forms reflects the presumption that demand will be greater for these. Certainly it cannot be presumed that the F1 progeny of named clones of the species can be considered less potentially invasive, or noxious, than progeny of unnamed clones.
But really, what we have here is a problem with communication.
When I look at your list, I see at least one offering which I would not, myself, consider a "named" clone of the species Iris pseudacorus.
By named, I, personally understood you to mean that the name of the plant had been formally registered with The American Iris Society, whereas. "ex compact form" I consider to be simply a casual description of presumptively open pollinated seeds from a shorter than typical but otherwise "unnamed" form of the species. And I frankly don't remember whether anyone ever legitimized "Bastardii" or not.
So, while I am, certainly distressed to have so upset you, for which I apologize, I think that if you choose to discourage or proscribe donations of any sorts of seeds under any of the several rationales which have emerged in our conversation, then it would be helpful to tell people what you are thinking.
Cordially,
AMW
-----Original Message-----
From: Jim Murrain <jmurrain@kc.rr.com>
To: iris-species <iris-species@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Tue, Sep 18, 2012 3:48 pm
Subject: Re: [iris-species] Seed Exchange
On Sep 17, 2012, at 11:24 AM, c*@aol.com wrote:
Well, this SIGNA member objects to the decision made regarding Iris pseudacorus..
I objected to this last season as well, and here it is again, despite the fact that in the ensuing discussions of the matter some indicated interest in various color forms of this species, named or otherwise.
The suggestion that SIGNA members are incapable of managing this venerable and beautiful--if potentially invasive in the hands of ninnies-- species responsibly in our personal gardens, so that the opinions, preferences, and agendas of unnamed other members should overrule our best judgement, is disturbing.
Keep your seeds.
I'm at a loss to understand the above message. Typical I. pseudacorus has not been a popular item. I doubt that more than 1 or 2 packets were ordered when it has been on the list. It is listed as a noxious weed and banned from several US states. We have continued to list forms of this species regardless.
I will mention that I. pseudacorus seeds are often infested with Verbena Seed Moths and require much extra hand cleaning. Man power is in extremely short supply as Jim and I do the lion's share of the work. There are only about three months when we can ignore the SeedEx. The other nine months require some to major attention. I sacrifice a bedroom for months and at times also my living and dining rooms.
I feel terrible to receive an angry letter in a public forum and wonder if we should even continue with what is a mostly thankless job. It's not like we get paid for this.
If you look at last year there were 6 variants on the list, or 7 if you count mackii.
11LV074 mackii ex cream, vigorous ext flower E to L
11LV075 pseudacrous ex âBastardiiâ
11LV076 pseudacrous ex compact formâ
11LV077 pseudacorus âex 'King Clovisâ
11LV078 pseudacorus ex âKrillâ
11LV079 pseudacorus ex âMinwansatoâ
11LV080 pseudacorus ex âSeakrillâ
Jim
Jim Murrain
8871 NW Brostrom Rd
Kansas City, MO 64152-2711
USA
Zone 6a
