HYB - TB: Reg. 7 Irisarian Reprints #5
- To: Multiple recipients of list <i*@rt66.com>
- Subject: HYB - TB: Reg. 7 Irisarian Reprints #5
- From: "* D* S* <g*@ccast.com>
- Date: Thu, 1 Jan 1998 22:13:14 -0700 (MST)
>If one is not interested.......... hit the "delete" key.
>
> A series of articles reprinted from the Region 7 IRISARIAN with myself as
> Editor in 1990-91. [Gary Sides--Jan. 1998: Posted to Iris-L]
>
SCHREINER'S GARDENS
Ray Schreiner Salem, Oregon
Our goals in breeding irises are to develop new color patterns, improve
colors and flower form from what is already developed, and live up to the
standards that everyone looks for in growth and disease resistance. A
modern iris should have at least six to seven buds, a good stem and breadth
of form.
I started crossing with my dad, Bernard (more commonly known as "Gus") in
1971. Dad would lay out the crosses and I, along with several others,
would make the actual crosses. I also worked with Dad during the selection
process: watching to see what he looked for, and the results of his
crosses. This continued until my father's death in 1981. During those
years, Dad taught me just about everything I know.
Since then, I am primarily making the crosses, with input from Bob and Dave
(my Dad's brother and his son). I am always ready to listen to any ideas.
We make between 1,500 to 2,000 crosses a year. We do each cross five
times, if there are that many open flowers. When we have a good take, we
harvest around 7,500 seed pods that July and August.
The following spring we will plant out about 20,000 seedlings from the
previous season's crosses. It takes two years from the cross to the first
bloom. Out of those 20,000 seedlings, we may select about 400, and from
these, maybe 10 to 15 will be marketable. So, there are a lot of "dogs" in
this patch!
In our business, we need a wide range of colors for our catalog. We are
working just about every color combination. When I select a seedling, I
look for new color patterns: something different and pleasing. Some
things are very different, but not pleasing in color. After color, I look
at the shape of the flower: breadth at the haft and the form. If the
flower doesn't have those two qualities, no matter how different the color,
I don't consider it as introduction material. I don't necessarily look for
size, but rather, good proportion. Bud count is also important. If a
seedling has the best flower, but only five buds, I won't use it as a
number one introduction. I'll use it with something with more buds and
hope to improve on it.
Working with so many colors makes it hard for me to say which color pattern
I favor. When I work with a color, I envision what I will be getting, and
at the moment I like that color best. They are all my favorites.
Plicatas, blues, reds, darks or yellows--mix up the patterns and you're
hooked! The possibilities are endless. Imagine a black with a pure white
beard, or a deep maroon with a blue beard.
Two irises that have been very good parents for us are TITAN'S GLORY and
SILVERADO. Both have good form, bud count and a sturdy stem. Use TITAN'S
GLORY with blues and whites, and get good results. Or mix the two
together. My advice to the novice breeder is to just try it! Go out and
look at your flowers. Check the size, bud count and form, then find
another flower you think would make a good parent and just do it!
I see the future of irises as wide open. The sky is the limit: different
patterns, more buds, longer bloom periods and repeat bloomers. What about
the possibilities with the foliage? We have variegated foliage. What
about extending the purple hue at the base all the way to the tip? What a
contrast! You could have color year-round. Only time will tell.
I hope this gets you interested in, and excited about hybridizing. It is
fun and interesting, and I think you'll enjoy it.
***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** *****
*****
Gary D. Sides Nashville, TN USDA 6/7 gdsides@ccast.com
TB Iris Rebloom is Up and Coming! Got any? Want some?
