Re: HYB: Punnett Square - petal width

Linda Mann wrote:
> 
> Ellen Gallagher wrote:
> >         Does strappy falls/flowers =3D droopy falls/flowers?
> >
> >         From my dictionary on my computer:
> >
> >         droop (dr=E1p) v. drooped, droop0ing, droops.
> > >-intr.
> > >1. To bend or hang downward.
> > >2. To bend or sag gradually.
> > >3. To sag in dejection or exhaustion.
> 
> Well, sometimes it does, but sometimes it doesn't, I think.  To me,
> droopy implies not much substance, whereas strappy is just narrow.
> Usually the two go together in older iris, but I have some seedlings
> with fairly narrow and rigid falls from crosses of pallida with stuff I
> lost track of.
> 
> Guess it depends on what yer straps is made out of, whether they sag in
> exhaustion or just are bent down.
> 
> Linda Mann lmann@icx.net

Linda and Ellen -- Yes, many of the older, "tough" beautiful iris have
"strappy" falls, and some are "droopy". I have been working for several
years to try to bring the rich colors and velvety texture of some of
those oldies up into more modern form.

I think I know what you mean by the "waterfall" form (bell-shaped with a
flounce at the bottom?), and I prefer it. I have just registered an iris
that has this form, plus ruffles and lace and excellent substance,
called LUCY'S CHARM. It's a blend -- honey-mocha stands and lavender
falls. Winterberry Gardens will introduce it. It will be a while before
there is enough stock to market.

I think the main problem I have found with bringing the old "strappies"
up to broad petaled form is the tendency to "wash out" the velvet
texture. The other problem is developing good branching. Many of the
pretty oldies are "straight-stick", with sparse or tucked-in branches.
Barry Blyth has made some real progress in this area, and I hope that
the use of some of his cultivars will enable me to make more.

Griff Crump, along the tidal Potomac near Mount Vernon, VA 
jgcrump@erols.com
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