Re: Re: Please advise a neophyte hybridizer

>Iris Pseudacorus thrives in our W. NC Mountain climate, 2000' in the valley,
>zone 6-7, never sweltering hot. What iris are genetically compatible with
>Pseudacorus?
>
>James Harrison

James, where are you in W. NC?  We are often in that area as a good friend
teaches at WCU in Cullowhee (also home of the big native plant conference
each year) and I teach alternate summers at Highlands.  My wife is talking
seriously of retiring to the area (some years in the future) and I must say
it appeals.  W. NC is one of the most beautiful regions in the country if
not the world!

Now on the subject of I. pseudacorus, this species appears to be compatible
with more beardless iris species than any other, although such crosses are
difficult to make and usually produce few seeds.  As Chuck has said, p. has
been crossed with versicolor (rarely) and also with ensata hybrids
(Japanese irises).  The famous HOLDEN CLOUGH is though by some to be
pseudacorus x foetidissima, though it was registered as chrysographes x
pseudacorus.  The BIS species book lists ensata, fulva, laevigata,
prismatica, siberica, spuria, versicolor and virginica as having been
crossed with pseudacorus, but I would take some of these with a large grain
of salt (or one of those blocks of salt put out in pastures for cattle).

I've heard that wide crosses take better if pseudacorus is the pod parent.
Very careful precautions have to be taken against self-pollination and
pollination by insects, both of which readily occur.  You wouldn't know if
you got real hybrids until they bloomed with characters of both parents
combined in one plant.

As well as the usual forms, there are tetraploids (BEURON), doubles,
whites, lemon-yellows, and varieties without the violet pencilling around
the signal area.  This species is so widely adapted, it seems odd that no
one is working on hybridization or just selection WITHIN the species.

Bill Shear
Department of Biology
Hampden-Sydney College
Hampden-Sydney VA 23943
(804)223-6172
FAX (804)223-6374
email<bills@mail.hsc.edu>

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