Re: Re: HYB: air pods & repeat crosses

On 28 Jun 2003 at 10:14, Linda Mann wrote:

> I think most of the 'bee' (spontaneous) air pods had no sign of aborted
> seeds, but the intentional pods did have some indication that seeds
> tried to develop.
> 
  Bee pods and balloon pods aren't the same in Mississippi! :-)

  Bee pods produce seeds, some with a full complement of seeds in all three 
chambers of the pod.  I plant some of these if I like the momma.

  Balloon pods may have no signs of seeds at all or they may have undeveloped 
seeds the size of a pin head.

  Balloon pods are 'false pregnancies' as my mother used to say.  Neither man nor a 
bee had anything to do with the formation of the pod.  Something in the plant 'said' it 
was ready for fertilization but no pollen was offered, so the empty pod was formed 
without fertilization.  A strange quirk in the nature of irises that seems to defy a 
scientific explanation is what it is!  Grin and bear it.

  With intentional pods, I either get something or I don't.  I don't ever recall harvesting 
a balloon pod that had been tagged where I had made the cross.  I have had very 
few crosses that didn't bloom true to what was labeled on the tag.

Walter Moores
Enid Lake, MS USA 7/8 (Where bearded pods are splitting open and being 
harvested).

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