Re: Japanese Irises and the Dykes (was Dark Horse)
- To: Multiple recipients of list <i*@rt66.com>
- Subject: Re: Japanese Irises and the Dykes (was Dark Horse)
- From: C*@aol.com
- Date: Thu, 30 Jan 1997 13:05:32 -0700 (MST)
In a message dated 97-01-30 10:46:00 EST, you write:
<< Not to be critical *but* how can we (AIS members) take this seriously
with so few 'judges' voting for a particular cultivar? I am perturbed
that these so-called iris experts can't wait until the Japanese
irises have bloomed and been evaluated to make the Dykes
selection. >>
When judges vote their ballots, the Japanese irises that are eligible for the
Dykes are on the ballot under the Dykes---so they are absolutely included in
the voting. At the request of SJI, AIS has agreed to allow judges to delay
their vote for HM, AM and Payne Medal for Japanese irises until Aug 1 because
in northern areas Japanese irises do not bloom until July. But this does not
adversely impact upon the voting for the Dykes Memorial Medal.
Like Pacific Coast Native irises and arils, and some others, Japanese irises
are not widely grown in some areas because of climate or soil requirements.
So it really is unlikely a majority of judges would ever vote for one for
the Dykes. Now I love Japanese irises as much as I love any other type---and
I don't think they are unfairly treated. Some day, if iris breeders work on
it, there may be a Japanese iris cultivar or a named PCN cultivar, that grows
well almost everywhere. If it is lovely, it may win the Dykes. This is not
impossible, but it will take work and development. Clarence Mahan in VA
