Re: Space Agers -Gaudy and/or Showy?
> BTW: Are there any Aril or Aril-bred Space Agers?
>
> Bill Smoot, grinning and waiting for the fireworks! <grin>
>
> 73210.1725@compuserve.com
Funny you should ask, Bill. I am looking at my Stockton Iris catalog
and admiring a beaut...KALIFA'S HORN (Annand '95). Description is " a
true novelty; an orchid lavender with darker flecking and light lavender
horns at the end of bronze beards demonstate the aril/horned breeding in
the parentage: SKY HOOKS X (WILLIAM MOHR X KALIFA GULNARE). Shared top
honors at the Region 14 Spring Trek in 1994". I am not really familiar
with arils but I am aware of theis iris...it's on my want list this
year.
I LIKE SPACE-AGERS!!! I realize some people don't like them or evcen
think they are hideous. I think the form has come a long way since this
trait was discovered in some of the Sass seedling beds. Austin,
Osborne, and Byers, among others, have definitley improve the form to
make the flowers just as nice as iris without the horns, spoons,
flounces, and petaloids. I would hope to see a space-ager win Queen of
Show...are not judges suppose to judge the flower according to the
standards set for that individual cultivar and not show personal
preference to a particular class, color, etc.?
The advent of lace on an iris was considered a novelty when it first
appeared...I'm sure their were purists who scorned it. But you can see
how beautiful lace can be on an iris; many years later. I love the lace
on GRAND WALTZ, and there are others which are very nice.
I suppose my point it that I hope that Space-Agers will be accepted as
main stream iris, not freaks. There will always be difference of opinio
in anything...it would be a boring place if everyone thought, dressed,
and acted the same.
Julie Irwin <bajai@mtco.com>
USDA zone 5 Pekin, IL
