Re: HYB: Question/marking crosses
iris@hort.net
  • Subject: Re: HYB: Question/marking crosses
  • From: a*@aol.com
  • Date: Tue, 02 Feb 2010 09:22:44 -0500
Hi Char,

I have a set of reusable cross markers, numbered 1 thru 200.  I cut about 3
inch pieces of white blinds.  I round the ends for safety and use a regular
paper punch to put a hole in one end, then tie a piece of orange knitting yarn
through the hole.  A bright color helps locate them when I make the rounds to
check on them.

 I use a fine point paint pen (Elmer's Painter.)  I found a supplier online.
These stay readable thru 3 months of sun and rain each year.  I check them
each spring about this time and replace any lost or damaged markers.

The crosses are listed 1-?? in my record book.  I list 2 per page front and
back.  In addition to the cross number, I list pod parent (always first) X
pollen parent.  Also, I list the date, time of day, & weather conditions at
the top of the first cross per day.   If there is only one cross on the stalk,
it is quite helpful to note which flower was crossed, just in case the deer or
wind disturb the marker or you use multiple pollen donors on one stalk.  I use
my own form of shorthand.  PT means primary terminal bud.  SB2 would mean
second branch, secondary bud.  Anything else I might want to know later is
noted in this space.

My record books are also colorful.  I use 9.5 x 6 inch 1 subject notebook by
Mead.  Red or orange if I can find them.  Their size makes them easy to stick
in a carrying bag, easier to spot if I misplace them.  I have two sets, one
for 'field crosses' and one with 'permanent numbers.'  I carry the second set
back into the garden for germination dates, seedling counts, etc..  With the
latter, I leave a couple of pages per cross for notes.

Each afternoon or evening, I transcribe the day's crosses onto an Excel
Spreadsheet.  It's good back up, but I like to print out the final sheet,
after harvest, for study and planning not located at the computer.  If I truly
lose the stud book, I can use the spreadsheet to make a new one.

Hope this is helpful.

Betty W.





-----Original Message-----
From: Char <cholte@wi.rr.com>
To: iris@hort.net
Sent: Mon, Feb 1, 2010 5:43 pm
Subject: RE: [iris] HYB: Questions?


Hi Betty,
 will respond to your suggestion.  Now that I am retired, how do you mark
ou crosses.  I tried a couple of years ago and the rain washed my marking
ags clean.  Then I lost me record book.
Char
-----Original Message-----
rom: owner-iris@hort.net [o*@hort.net] On Behalf Of
utmirislvr@aol.com
ent: Monday, February 01, 2010 2:00 PM
o: iris@hort.net
ubject: [iris] HYB:Questions?
Hi All,
Snow and ice still glisten across the fields, but tomorrow is Groundhog Day!
an spring be far behind?  Only 2 1/2 months until the little ones start
looming in my garden!
It's great fun to see your own seedlings bloom, addictive even!  Even if
hey
ook exactly like something you've seen before, they are genetically
ifferent!  A seedling is uniquely your own.  Why not create an 'Edith
olford' (whatever) that blooms and grows well in your garden?  Or an 'Edith
olford' that reblooms during early September in KY?  I'd buy that one for
ure!
Irises are some of the easiest plants to pollinate/cross.  Why not joint the
un?
This is a good time for new hybridizers to ask questions, any question.
omeone on here should be able to give an answer, or maybe several answers.
e can never have enough hybridizers.  Think of the many iris mysteries yet
o
e solved!
Now is the time to prepare for spring!
Betty Wilkerson . . .
ridge In Time Iris
one 6/KY
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