Re: PRICE LIST

Hi Everone!!!

We finally have our 1998 price list ready.  Our specialty are I. aphylla
hybrids. Most fall into the Intermediate class but we also have SDB's,
MTB's, BB's and TB's. 

In addition to our own introductions we carry an assortment of diploid
MTB's. 

For those of you who are not familiar with our iris, I would like to
tell you a little about them.

In the early 1900's the Sasses hybridized with 	I.aphylla and obtained
some 'near' MTB's. They often mixed pollen and also worked with other
species and diploids.  But they did not pursue using I. aphylla over 3
or 4 generations. 

In 1967 Gordon Plough challenged Jim to improve on I.aphylla hybrids. 

Shortly thereafter, Bob Schreiner encouraged Jim and as he had also done
some hybridizing with aphylla,

Ben Hager had already introduced some and he not only encouraged us (by
then I had gotten involved), but Ben generously gave us several of his
seedlings to use in our hybridizing program.  



Technically, aphylla is a dwarf. When crossed with TB's it tends to pass
on its habit of branching from the base of the stalk and usualy produces
2 to 4 well spaced branches on fine stalks. Bud count oftens runs into
8-10 or more per stalk.

When crossed with TB's as we have done, one ends up with a variety of
bloom size and stalk height even among siblings. After many generations
of hybrids we have been able to get quite stable seedlings.

We have pursued working with the aphylla hybrids for several reasons. 
Our initial goal is to develope proportionally balanced, multibranched,
dimimutive iris with the form and substance of the TB's. But of a size
that people with limited garden space could still grow several and still
get the TB form and style. Also, they hold up much better under windy
conditions, are cold hardy and less subject to rot.

We not only were able to successfully bring out these qualities but 
found that we could get very clean colors. The range of possibilities is
as unlimited as any that one can get with the TB's. The reason for this
is the aphylla has the same 48 chromosome count as today's TB
tetraploids. The hybrids remain fully fertile, unlike  most of the mixed
chromosome iris. 

And there are other benefits: Rebloomers.  Not all, but some aphylla
hybrids do rebloom.

Aphylla hybrids require only ordinary culture.  The species goes
completely dormant in the late summer or early fall, and does not begin
to grow until winter is well passed. Some, not all, of the modern
derivitives show this same characteristic. They are not as apt to rot
from summer rains provided they have good drainage. 

I wish you all could see DEPARTURE. It is an IB 24" tall with 3-4
branches carrying 7-8 buds. It is a clean white with heavy bubble
ruffling and the flowers are only 3" high X 4" wide. 

On the other hand, RAVE REVIEW our MTB is a very taylored flared smooth
lavender with a pinkish beard. The blooms are 2 1/2" High x 3" wide.

If you are interested in receiving our price list, Please contact up at 
cragiris@ipinc.net and leave your name and mailing address.

Jim & Vicki Craig
Iris & Collectables
Tigard, Oregon USA

cragiris@ipinc.net
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