Re: SPEC: HYB: diploid X tetraploid, tectorum crosses

Sometimes I wonder if it might be easier to make some of these difficult
crosses using tetraploid pollen rather than diploid.  Since they aren't
really true tetraploids, it seems like it might improve the chances of
making fertile embryos by having more types of chromosome pieces
available.

There must be some chromosome pieces in the bearded irises that are
capable of matching up with tectorum to have the success you've already
had, Tom.  So maybe a tetraploid from really mixed up bearded species
background would be even more successful?  Something with a little
pallida, variegata, aphylla, balkana/reichenbachii etc.  Maybe something
from WHOLE CLOTH and Hall pink background?

I can't remember whether or not there is a chromosome count available
for HONORABILE, but it seems like there has been speculation (??am I
making this up?) that H is of hybrid origin.  If it is, then maybe a tet
of mixed ancestry would provide more matches too?

This is when it would reallly be nice to have that DNA machine in our
kitchen chemistry set - we could run tectorum, HONORABILE, all the
bearded species that have gone into TB's, and see which ones have the
most overlap.

I would love to have some TB X I. cristata babies to breed some shade
tolerant lines of TBs.  Or even IBs.  Wouldn't an everblooming one of
those make a nice plant for a shaded yard?  That's an idea I dearly wish
somebody would try to pursue.  I keep looking for pollen on I. cristata
here, but never have found any.

I wonder how close I. tectorum and I. cristata are genetically?
--
Linda Mann east Tennessee USA zone 7/8
East Tennessee Iris Society <http://www.korrnet.org/etis>
American Iris Society web site <http://www.irises.org>
talk archives: <http://www.hort.net/lists/iris-talk/>
photos archives: <http://www.hort.net/lists/iris-photos/>
online R&I <http://www.irisregister.com>

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