Re: TB:Millenium Contest

Last year Stockton Iris Gardens sponsored a contest open to new hybridizers 
(people who introduced fewer than 10 varieties) in order to promote and give 
attention to these individuals who, one sensed, had trouble getting noticed 
in the award system which, more than anything, recognizes distribution.  The 
varieties were to be judged in one year plantings in the year 2000 with a 
single prize of $500, and in two-year plantings with 3 prizes in the 
aggregate $1500.  Thus, $2000 for the year 2000.  (forget that I will need to 
kick in an extra dollar for the year 2001, the real millennium. )  It was 
advertised in Tall Talk (TBIS); also sent to club presidents.  An ad in the 
AIS Bulletin was not published (I learned later that it was displaced by a 
subsequently submitted ad relating to a petition/election challenge to TBIS 
-- but enough about that).  

Approximately 15-20 hybridizers sent plants -- about 60 entries, with as many 
as 3 plants per entry.  They are of varying quality, although many did not 
bloom the first year.  The judging is "blind" in that the seedlings were 
assigned separate numbers by me when they arrived.  Remarkably, there were no 
losses in the seedlings.  

The only problem that I have sensed is that some contestants sent reblooming 
material, which quality is difficult to judge by our panel.  In the event 
that there is a worthy rebloomer that is out of bloom in the Spring, I have 
contacted two of the judges who live nearby (Sid Dubose of Melrose Gardens is 
7 minutes away; Elsiemae Nicholson is a similar distance) and they help me 
evaluate it for special mention.

It is my intent to continue to receive new seedlings on an ongoing basis, 
with a permanent cash incentive of $500 should the variety be deemed worthy 
of introduction.  The winning varieties must consent to introduction or 
co-introduction by Stockton Iris Gardens.  We may also use the winning entry 
as part of a fund-raiser instituted by the TBIS this past year where we offer 
4 new introductions from different hybridizers (who donate the stock of their 
iris) for a set price of $75.00 (postage included).  TBIS sold almost 50 such 
sets of introductions this year, and intends to offer another set next year.  
 (Sorry, the sets were sold out and already sent by Stockton Iris Gardens two 
weeks ago).  


 

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