Re: rebloom

From: Mike Lowe <mlowe@worldiris.com>

John Bruce writes: OK....I just have to ask!

>Only being a student judge, and having had only JI  gerden judging training,
>AND since it isn't in the judges handbook.....
>
>Why is this a fault?

This was prompted by Mike Lowe's writing...
>>I have climbed on my soap box re this fault; in Judging Schools, in
>>>>editorials, in articles and in conversations. At least growers and
>>hybridizers are seldom now extolling as a virtue, super-high rebloom bud
>>count.

Before the answer though, a bit of background:

Reblooming enthusiasts come to the iris feast with many wounds suffered
during a long battle for acceptance and recognition of their chosen flower.

In the early years of discovering, segregating and enhancing a group of
iris cultivars that bloomed twice during one growing season, the focus was
of necessity, on one trait only: rebloom.

Until approximately two decades ago, reblooming cultivars were at least 20
to 30 years behind their once blooming cousins in flower form and color
diversity; possibly a full half century behind in acceptance as a
worthwhile garden plant.

Throughout rebloomers' history, those working with this iris trait have
insisted that rebloomers be judged as is any other iris of their class, no
special rules or criteria. There has been absolutely no easing of standards
because of the added bloom period. These stringent requirements raised the
bar for hybridizers working with rebloomers but has benefited the flower
even though reblooming progress has, arguably, been lengthened.

This is not to say that there aren't faults that are unique to an irises
second period of bloom. AIS Judges who grow, evaluate and vote (or do not
vote!) awards for reblooming cultivars are, or should be, well aware of
those 'quirks of  rebloom' that plague SOME remontant introductions. This
knowledge is acquired by growing a representative selection of reblooming
cultivars, joining the Reblooming Iris Society, visiting gardens featuring
a wide selection of reblooming iris cultivars and obtaining garden tutoring
during rebloom season from a qualified AIS judge.

Now, why is rebloom-induced over bud set bad?

1. The plant is unable to devote sufficient resources to open all buds.

2. The high number of buds seems to compress the opening cycle, I have seen
three buds attempt to open in one socket, simultaneously.

3. The high number of buds pull plant resources that would normally go to
stalk and branch elongation. The usual result is highly atypical branching
and stalk height.

4. The flower opening process is distorted, often flowers mold and rot
while attempting to open.

5. The overall plant impression is often not graceful, elegant, beautiful,
pleasing or any other subjective adjective you would care to use-ie., ugly.

Cheers,

Mike,  mlowe@worldiris.com   --   http://www.worldiris.com




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