Re: hybrids and rot
- To: i*@Rt66.com
- Subject: Re: hybrids and rot
- From: L*@aol.com
- Date: Wed, 3 Apr 1996 10:17:44 -0500
lonnie wrote: >From what I
>understand our modern iris are derived from iris germanica, a hybrid of
>unknown parentage. I. pallida, I variegata. etc. Are any of these
>unusually prone to rot? .... Most
>moderns are tetraploids. That certainly cuts down the original parents
>doesnt it? Is it possible to cross 2N with 4N? What would you get?
> Nothing? Triploids......Sterile???
around here (e tenn), iris germanica (dark purple) and I. pallida (tall
fragrant pale blue) are the two iris everywhere, including abandoned house
sites. they are certainly not at all prone to rot in this area, but i don't
know if they are more vulnerable where winter injury is more of a problem,
especially under snow. these two have survived -25o and -15o F for a few
days, but don't sit under snow cover for weeks and months and don't usually
have to endure temperatures below +5o F without snow for more than a few
days.
before i bought The World of Iris, and learned that iris pallida and
germanica were diploids and modern TBs are tetraploids, and that it is
therefore verry verry difficult to cross them, i had the bright idea of
making some plants with intense fragrance and rot resistance from those
crosses. so i daubed pollen on the style crests (from the pictures i saw, it
looked like that was where the stigma is) of every iris pallida blossom i had
and wound up with a bunch of seeds, and now have a bunch of ugly/cute little
seedlings. i have yet to be successful in crossing tetraploid tbs, but with
sharon's EXCELLENT directions, i will try again this year.
so, as clarence says, don't believe everything you hear or read. and i would
add something about fools rushing in, and the joys of exploration.
linda mann usa
