Re: HYB:
- Subject: Re: HYB:
- From: m*@aol.com
- Date: Thu, 25 Apr 2002 23:49:40 EDT
In a message dated 4/25/2002 1:53:28 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
iris-talk@yahoogroups.com writes:
> : Re: HYB:
>
>
Linda--
If you have a seedling your are proud of surely show it, share it, and
get other's experience and opinions in other regions.
But may I speak, generally, about genetics and the reason some speak
of 1/200, etc.
Hybridization is a process of probabilities, like Las Vegas. The
people who have the most experience, cross the cultivars they think most
likely to be the best parents, and they are saying that even with their best
theory they may only get 1/200 seedlings worth introducing.
There is no guarantee that they will get anything.
It is always possible that the naive gardner, with an accidental seed
pod, out of which only one seed sprouts, may, may I emphasize may, discover
the ideal iris that is an ever bloomer, borer resistant, fungus resistant,
with ideal branching, long lasting blooms, etc. etc. Not likely, but
possible. Surely in horticultural history it has happened to a gardener who
liked daffodils and pulled it up.
Similarly, the stray grape seed you have tossed out in your compost
may sprout into a vine, which if nurtured may, may, may put the best
Chardonay to shame and could grow on its on roots, have an immense crop and
be immune to grape diseases and pests, without danger of phyllorexa -- but in
your climate you might not notice it, think the grapes too small. Too bad,
lost. Meanwhile the hybirdizers are crossing grapes, hoping to find 1/1000
which may improve on quality of the wine grapes available.
This is to say, the big scale producers have to deal in probabilities.
The small gardner may luck onto the individually valuable plant.
Remember, that in the grand world of probabilities, of 200 plants, 199
in the larger grower's garden may be duds and the one in yours may be the one
she hoping to find. Probability of success can be enhanced by knowledge, and
the commercial grower wants to increase the pool of probability beyond that
which is possible for us small scale gardeners. But Bill Shear notes in his
book the backyard gardener who introduced a winner.
I could belabor this point, but...
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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