Re: Hybridizing native North American species irises
- To: i*@rt66.com
- Subject: Re: Hybridizing native North American species irises
- From: t*@Lanl.GOV (Tom Tadfor Little)
- Date: Thu, 18 Jul 1996 13:23:37 -0600
I've always thought it might be worthwhile to attempt to cross
Iris missouriensis (the Rocky Mountain Iris) with tetraploid
Louisianas. The chromosome numbers are similar, and I have read
some speculation that they are somewhat related. If so, there
might be some degree of fertility in the seedlings.
The goal of such breeding would be Louisiana-type irises that
are more tolerant of dry, alkaline soils and cold winters.
I'll try it some year.
Speaking of Louisianas, iris season officially ended in Los
Alamos on Tuesday when the last bloom of Professor Barbara
closed up. From first reticulata to last Louisiana, that was
almost 6 months of "spring" bloom.
Happy irising, Tom.
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Tom Tadfor Little tlittle@lanl.gov -or- telp@Rt66.com
technical writer/editor Los Alamos National Laboratory
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Telperion Productions http://www.rt66.com/~telp/
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