Re: Breeding Question

Ross Bishop wrote:
> 
> I have a question foryou breeders out there. I mean iris. I'm new to
> iris growing and have lot's to learn.
>         We moved into a new place last summer which had an established, and
> overcrowded, iris bed. We moved the iris (MB) and bought a few new ones
> whose color we liked. All the plants have done really well, but the
> "old" iris' color just wasn't very interesting - yellow and white, both
> colors very pale. We decided to move them to a less conspicuous
> location.
>         Today when I dug the bed I got quite a surprise. As I said, the foilage
> has been great. But the rhizomes on the old ones we had moved the fall
> before were something else! I have the Arnold Schwartzeneger (or,
> however you spell it) of Rhizomes! The rhizomes of the hybrids we had
> purchased don't even compare. The strain is obviously robust, and well
> suited to these growing conditions.
>         Now my question: If I do a little breeding work next spring what are
> the chances I could bring the robustness of these plants into a new
> variety with considerably more color? Any hints as to how to make this
> happen?
> Thanks,
> Ross
> in Santa Fe
> Where the regular afternoon rains have finaly come and cooled things
> off.
Hi Ross;
What you are seeing, is the result of moving your irises to virgin soil.
That means that the soil you planted them in had not grown irises
before, so the nourishment had not been depleted. They always thrive in
virgin soil, but if you leave them there for a few years you will note a
marked difference in the rhizomes. Irises are heavy feeders, and when
the clumps have to be dug and divided, it is necessary to amend the soil
at this time, or your rhizomes will become punier and punier, with each
passing year. Before you rush into trying to cross one of the monsters
with a more colourful iris, try planting the colourful one in new soil
and see if it responds the same way the older one did. I would be very
surprised if it did not present you with the same monster type rhizomes. 
Then all you need to do is keep your soil healthy and save yourself a
lot of work. Of course, it could be fun to try such a cross anyway, but
the disadvantage is in not knowing the parentage of the other one. The
ball is now in your court. Enjoy the game! It's your rules now!!

Nancy Silverberg, Molalla, OR, and now I must definitely go to bed!!
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