milesii and tectorum
- To: Multiple recipients of list <i*@rt66.com>
- Subject: milesii and tectorum
- From: B* S* <b*@tiger.hsc.edu>
- Date: Thu, 8 Jan 1998 07:00:38 -0700 (MST)
Chad--this cross seemed such a natural that I tried it for two years
running. I took the beardless precautions you outlined to avoid
self-pollination. The cross was done only in one direction (milesii x
tectorum). Only a few seeds resulted, but each pollinated flower produced
a "balloon' (pod with no seeds). I grew about a half-dozen seedlings each
year and all of them turned out to be milesii, or at least identical to it.
This suggests that despite my precautions, some self-pollination (or more
unlikely, development of unfertilized ovules) took place. Last year I
intended to try again, but had no bloom on my big clump of milesii.
There has been very little hybridization amongst the crested irises. I
suspect from observing most of them in growth that cristata and lacustris
are more closely related to the confusa-japonica group and indeed some
hybrids have been reported, though none are currently in existence that I
know of. Tectorum and milesii seem isolated, with large chunky rhizomes
(rather than runners) and quite different foliage. Since both do quite
well for me and for many others, hybrids would be desirable garden plants
if they could be achieved. Milesii would contribute height and branching,
while tectorum could be exploited for flower size, hardiness and vigor.
Go to it!
Bill Shear
Department of Biology
Hampden-Sydney College
Hampden-Sydney VA 23943
(804)223-6172
FAX (804)223-6374
email<bills@hsc.edu>
