Re: HYB: Pollinating iris...was question

Jan Clark wrote:

> So, if you have pollenated the flower and a bee comes along with pollen
> after you (unless you have covered the flower) how do you know which
> pollen fertilised the flower? You can't just assume it was the first
> lot.
> I have pollenated flowers on the next day after opening, but we don't
> seem to have a problem with bees here.
> 

It is very difficult for a bee to pollinate a bearded iris.  The next
time you "get up close and personal" to a bearded iris flower, look at
the beard and the stigmatic lip.  They are quite a distance apart.  The
bee (I have observed this) will land on the beard, and after looking for
pollen and finding none will fly away.  My point being that you do not
have to protect a bearded flower after pollinating.  This coming from
one who has made hundreds of crosses, planted them and observed the
characteristics of each parent expressing themselves in the offspring.

I have made crosses successfully on the first, second and third day
after a flower is open.  In the morning, noon and even at night.  The
easiest way to see if the stigmatic lip is receptive is to face the lip
towards the sun or bright light and see if it is glistening.  If it is
glistening then it is ready.  

Rick Tasco
Superstition Iris Gardens
Central California
Zone 8
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