Re: mesopotamica influence (was REB: PERFUME COUNTER)

>Sharon McAllister wrote:
>>I. mesopotamica occurs as
>>Three of 128 GGGGGgrandparents
>>Four of 256 GGGGGGgrandparents
>>One of 512 GGGGGGGgrandparents
>>
>>Of course, there are a number of branches
>>that can't be traced back to species, but
>>this is an excellent subject for aspiring
>>hybridizers who want to see for themselves
>>what can be learned through pedigree
>>analysis.
>
>Any idea as to what percentage of tall bearded iris pedigrees can be
>successfully traced far enough back to determine relative contribution
>of mesopotamica?   Wouldn't that be a nice thing for catalogs to
>include!
>
>Lloyd, if you knew the percentage of mesopotamica influence in a given
>introduction, at what level of influence would you expect it to fail in
>this region?
>
>Linda Mann east Tennessee USA

Dear Linda: Only a guess, but I would be concerned if 25% of the ancestry
contained I.mesopotamica. If it were 50% I would probably never use it as a
parent. Farther north, I wanted those varieties that seemed to go
completely dormant in the fall, showing a lot of very small leaves,
suggesting I variegata and possibly I pallida. Those that try to grow all
winter were anathema. However, in North Carolina, such varieties might have
some success, - and I speak of the piedmont area, not the mountains. But I
still want the iris to go nearly dormant in the fall, out of habit. And I
do like to use the hardy Eastern rebloomers to cross with the arilbreds.
They too like to grow all winter and estivate all summer, like I
mesopotamica. The hardy rebloomers, hopefully, will help keep down their
winter growth, and stimulate the summer growth.
   Here I am using the TB RE as the pod parent, so may be disappointed for
awhile in regard to the appearnace of aril characteristics in the
seedlings.  Lloyd Zurbrigg in Durham NC, where it is raining. It is giving
freezing rain in Greensboro, 50 miles to the west, and likewise just 35
miles further north in Roxboro.  My feelings go out to all of you farther
north!!!
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