Re: Retro Hybridizing, wind tunnel varieties

In a message dated 04/02/97  03:11:44, Mike says:

<< 
 It may well be that what is desired by those who mention 'Retro Hybridizing'
is:
 
         gardenability
         hardiness
         disease resistance
         floriferousness
         maintainability
         thriftiness
         toughness
         mulchability
         drought resistance
 
 But then, perhaps not. According to a large number of currently active
 hybridizers, form and color of the flower is the major determining factor
 in the success of any given tall bearded iris.
  >>


I want all of those qualities from irises of any age. And, at the risk of
sounding like a broken record, those are the qualities breeders should be
breeding for FIRST and then working to get the good bloom to go with those
qualities. Look at the most popular irises of all time - Stepping Out,
Wabash, Jane Phillips and others - all have good growing habits and good
blooms - none were outstanding new "breaks".
When will breeders learn? If they want to leave something that will be
testament to their skills for years after the have gone, then they MUST
PRODUCE A DARNED GOOD PLANT and not just a pretty bloom.

Feeling better for saying that (again)


Graham
croftway@aol.com
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