Re: HYB: TB: hybridizing with oldies (was Keppel)

Neil M in NC said:

> I'm tempted to use some BLUE RHYTHM pollen on some modern sorts.
> .........I wonder how many generations it would take
> both to capture those qualities AND regain modern flower type?

I don't know for sure, but I bet fewer than you might fear.  I may
change my mind after seeing this year's batch of babies bloom, but some
published pedigrees make me think it's not too bad.  That is, if we can
work out ways to get these seeds to germinate and grow to blooming size
in one year in our climate.  Some hybridizers have gotten introductions
from using <species>, not just 50 year old cultivars, within a few
generations - a reblooming TB from Hager using I. balkana comes to
mind.  Sorry - can't think of the name right now.

This spring, I will try to remember to take some photos the three
generations of pallida seedlings.  Even using a pretty old cultivar for
the first cross (MULBERRY ROSE) and a bee pod for the second generation,
the third generation would have made a nice 50s iris.

Also, there are some fairly recent introductions with PINAFORE PINK in
their pedigrees, three generations down, I think.  PP isn't as old as
BLUE RHYTHM tho.  If it takes 3 generations and it takes 6 yrs to bloom
here, that isn't going to work! :-(  Hence my interest in speeding up
turnaround time on seeds.

I think there are some really good oldies that were ahead of their time
for some traits, but didn't have suitable mates from the eras when they
were new.

Anybody know of established hybridizers who have experience using older
cultivars or species who could give some insight on crosses they've
tried and results to expect?

Is Griff Crump still here?  He introduced several of his WABASH
descendants in the 2000 R& I: AGAINST THE TIDE (3rd generation sdlg),
ALLELUIA (4th generation), BULBUL AMEER (3rd generation).  He has
several intro listed in 2000 - I didn't look at all of them.

Anybody seen Griff's babies in person & care to comment?  He had some
photos several years ago - not sure if he sent them to me offlist or
posted.

--
Linda Mann east Tennessee USA zone 7/8
Updates on migrant whooping cranes:
http://www.savingcranes.org/whatsnew/Class2002FloridaMain.asp
American Iris Society web site <http://www.irises.org>
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iris-photos/Mallorn archives: <http://www.hort.net/lists/iris-photos/>

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