Re: HYB: Attention -- Class of '97

Sharon McAllister said
> My online time is very limited now, so
> I'm calling on the "Class of '97".  Those
> of you who participated in last year's
> discussions know what topics helped
> the most.  Please post a few search
> suggestions.

I must have passed the classes last year - I had a lot of seeds from
intentional crosses this summer!

Some of the iris web pages had detailed directions that were good
(Sharlyn?)

I would suggest searching the archives for all the posts on the subject
of HYB, maybe limiting them to the spring season in the northern
hemisphere - about April through May.  There was a LOT of great
information posted, mostly this spring, but some last year as well.  As
always, posters didn't necessarily remember to put the correct subject
line on their messages [in fact, Tom didn't set up formal guidelines
till ?this year?], so be prepared to follow some threads away from
'HYB'.  Topics covered included: what is a hybrid, what are iris seeds,
how do I make hybrid seeds, where does the pollen go (that's me!), does
time of day (temperature, wind, humidity, etc) matter, are there
strictly maternal inheritance factors, what are the heredity patterns of
different  traits (colors, patterns, fragrance, rebloom, etc) [I was
disappointed to learn that even the experts don't know everything and
won't always make wild guesses in public], how long do pods take to
ripen, how can I tell when they are ripe, how to salvage/manage stalks
with seed pods, what to do with harvested seeds, when and how to plant. 

I am sure I will overlook some major contributions, but Sharon
McAllister was the primary genetics and techniques teacher, with list
poppa Tom Little providing excellent charts of heredity and lots of
different practical experience from Lloyd Zurbrigg, Rick Tasco, and
Walter Moores (to give some hybridizing 'posters' to search for).  And
as always, me asking a zillion questions, driving these kind people
nuts.

We haven't gotten to the part where we figure out how to throw children
in the compost.  I'm not quite ready for that lesson myself.

Linda Mann east Tennessee USA
mostly just playing
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