Arilbreds

Carolyn posted a lot more questions, but I'll TRY to be brief:

>>	You will need some test gardens in the north, won't you?? 

Of course they need to be tested under a variety of conditions, just like any
other type.   But Glen Timbs did his hybridizing in NY and Fred Gadd in CT, so
there's reason to believe that arilbreds can be grown well in that part of the
country.

>>	I tend toward self, but your bi colors sound wonderful. 

There are a few near-selfs, but the arilbreds are usually valued for their
unusual patterns: dotting, veining, stippling, signals.   One of our local wits
classifies all iris as 1) car window; 2) sidewalk; or 3) milkstool.  The first
make a impressive clump you notice while driving by.  The second are interesting
enough to make you stop for a second look as you walk by.  The third have such
intricate patterns that they lure you into sitting down to study them.

>>	 Are these clear colors?  

Some are smooth,  clear and bright.  Some are blends, created by layers of
pigment.  Some are so heavily dotted and veined as to appear solide from a
distance.  Some are smokey.  

>>	This signal reminds me of medians and dwarfs.  How tall are yours?
What's the size of the blooms.

Arilbreds come in all sizes.  The halfbreds that I was describing earlier are
around 28".  The flowers are usually larger than those of comparable medians &
TBs.

>>	Don't get me wrong, I've never seen one in person, only in photos, but
arils look like weak TB's.  

It's a matter of taste.  If you're drawn to selfs, and prefer them clear without
any dotting or veining -- you'll be drawn to arilbreds that DO look like
inferior TBs and you won't care for the boldly marked ones.  Just remember that
to some of us, TBs look like insipid ABs!  <wry G>

>>	If you get the best characteristics of each, how can you convince me (
your soon to be adoring public) that there is some strength in the bloom?  Size,
flaring falls, substance?

I don't try to convince you -- they have to speak for themselves.  The
characteristics we're trying to get from the TB side of the "family":
gardenability, branching & bud count.  From the aril side:  form, pattern &
substance.  Rounded, even partially recurved,  falls are usually preferable to
flaring ones.  But there are always exceptions, as in a quarterbred whose
flaring falls showcase an unexpectedly nice signal.  The individual flowers
usually have superior substance and last longer than those of TBs.  (It's not
unusual for an onco flower to stay open a full week.) 

>>	  What is the hardiness factor for arils?  Anyone north of New Mexico
grow them?

They seem to be able to tolerate a lot of winter cold.  Widely fluctuating
spring temperatures are the real problem.  The damage comes when a deep freeze
hits after they've broken dormancy -- but that's true of TBs here, as well.
Yes, a lot of people north of New Mexico grow them.  I actually have more
customers from the northern half of the country than I do from NM itself.  

>>	This is (one of the) marvels of this LIST -- we can go to a convention
every single day!!! Have you presented your info at a meeting?

Yes, but I'm too tied down by family & business obligations to travel much
anymore.

>>	 Written about it for the Bulletin (confession -- I skip the arils
articles, see above)

Yes.  And ASI publications.  And SIGNA.  And The Medianite.  And regional
publications.  In short, for just about anyone who has space to fill.  

Sharon McAllister (73372.1745@compuserve.com)
Southern New Mexico
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