JI:SIB: SPEC-X Cross
- To: iris- talk
- Subject: JI:SIB: SPEC-X Cross
- From: v* l*
- Date: Sun, 27 Aug 2000 03:30:24 -0700 (PDT)
I received the following message from Clarence Mahan. I
have included the original post for reference.
Vince
From: J.F. Hensler <christyh@p...>
Date: Sun Aug 20, 2000 0:20am
Subject: SPEC-X: new photos
Hi All,
Just wanted to let those who have an interest in the
progress of the JI-SIB seedlings know we have new images
and info online at
http://www.povn.com/rock/iseed1.html
Christy Hensler
THE ROCK GARDEN http://www.povn.com/rock/
--- CEMahan@aol.com wrote:
> As I am sure you know, and as others have probably
> already pointed out, there
> has never been to my knowledge a documented successful
> cross of Japanese and
> Siberian irises. Iris ensata is 2n=24 chromosomes, and
> Iris siberica and
> Iris sanguinea are 2n=28. Resultant offspring, if they
> were possible, would
> have either 26 or 52 chromosomes and, by all evidence, be
> infertile. Many
> expert plant breeders, using strict controls, have failed
> at getting such a
> cross. Both types of irises readily self-seed. Even if
> siberica or
> sanguinea pollen is put on Iris ensata, unless the pod
> parent flower were
> protected (say with a paper sack tightly closed with a
> tie) even before it
> opened, and the pollen parent was also protected in the
> same way before the
> flower opened, any resultant pod would be MORE than
> suspect. If seeds were
> planted and produced vigorous fertile plants, that would
> be further evidence
> that the seedlings were pure Iris ensata.
>
> I have lived long enough NOT to declare that anything is
> impossible. But I
> find it difficult to adopt even a modified version of
> White Queen's theory
> and conclude that anyone can learn to believe 6 highly
> improbable things
> before breakfast. I would be interested in what others
> have said about this
> subject. Clarence Mahan
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