Re: HYB: CULT: adaptability/microhabitat

Linda, and others,

I really have contridicted myself concerning the observation of survivability
being more cultural than genetic, considering those cv's that have survived
here perhaps close to fifty years without special care, spraying, even
weeding.  BLUE RHYTHM, BLUE SHIMMER, WABASH and a couple unidentifieds have in
their makeup whatever it takes to make a go of it here in this microclimate.

I suspect the woman who planted these bought a couple collections somewhere,
perhaps one of those "Five Dykes Medal Winners" or perhaps some from the high
end of a popularity pole.  Undoubtedly some faded away--and these survived.
Why?

The answer must lie in their genetic makeup.

I would not hesitate to explore crossing BLUE RHYTHM with modern sorts.  Its
branching is spectacular under good culture.  It seems also capable of
yielding offspring far better than itself.  Perhaps this famous and much
favored variety might pass on some of its toughness and growability.  What
could one expect from Blue Rhythm crossed with, for instance, WINTRY SKY,
YAQUINA BLUE or DELTA BLUES? or even that highly probable future DM winner SEA
POWER?

Since ROMANTIC EVENING shows already, in its few short but difficult years in
our climates a similar toughness, would one be farther ahead to rely on it and
its progeny?

Neil Mogensen  z 7 western NC

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