Re: Test Gardens
iris@hort.net
  • Subject: Re: Test Gardens
  • From: P* A* <p*@mindspring.com>
  • Date: Tue, 22 Jun 2010 16:30:46 -0400 (EDT)

Yes, I am quite aware of Loomis's.  But it is only one site.  We need a wider exposure to climate, soils and water availability.


-----Original Message-----
>From: irischapman@aim.com
>Sent: Jun 22, 2010 11:06 AM
>To: iris@hort.net
>Subject: Re: [iris] Test Gardens
>
>There is The Dr. Loomis Memorial Test Gardens. they trial iris in all
>classifications. All are pointed out each year for each of three years and a
>report is sent to all with iris in their gardens. Every plant scoring over 80
>is given an Loomis award and results published in AIS bulletin.
>
>Germany has its trial garden for SDB and TB and also points out entries and
>publishes  results.
>
>
>
>There also is a trial garden  that was on last years convention  tour. This
>included older plants, but I don't think they publish their results
>
>Any group could easily do the same thing.If they so wished.
>
>
>
>Chuck Chapman
>
>
>
>
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Robert Pries <robertpries@embarqmail.com>
>To: iris@hort.net
>Sent: Tue, Jun 22, 2010 8:50 am
>Subject: Re: [iris] Test Gardens
>
>
>Paul; I think your thoughts on test gardens are good ones. As with anything
>that
>
>can prove useful there are many problems to overcome. And perhaps it would be
>
>best not to discourage you with a list. AIS has had a long history of test
>
>gardens. Often they created so much controversy they were eventually disbanded
>
>and many remember the problems and hope to avoid them again. But it should not
>
>be ignored that they also gave us an enormous legacy of information. Cornell
>
>Plantations was a test garden and the venerable Austin Sands provided a
>
>tremendous archive of information about the irises of his time.
>
>Originally many of the test gardens were first organized to sort out what
>irises
>
>were growing under what names and correcting the nomenclature. But even from
>the
>
>beginning, judges would visit and evaluate irises. Although there still are
>
>public test gardens around the country, In the recent past AIS has pretty much
>
>divorced itself from the concept. But one must always remember that the
>society
>
>is not its officers, and those officers continually change. It is really about
>
>what its members do. The society is only a network and how individuals use
>that
>
>network is what makes the iris society.
>
>The issue of test gardens will never die because it has some intrinsic value.
>
>Its problem is mostly execution. Many of you know that I am very interested in
>
>preservation of cultivars and have been trying to establish a relationship
>with
>
>the American Association of Public Gardens such that AIS could participate in
>
>their system of National Collections, both to create some in members gardens
>and
>
>collections in the botanical gardens and arboretums. As part of this effort I
>
>proposed to the board we have an Office of National Collections and test
>
>gardens. Although they did not understand what an office would be in our
>
>structure they did approve this Spring a committee. Note this did also include
>
>test gardens. Whether some like them or not, test gardens exist, and if we
>have
>
>input we can perhaps help them avoid some problems. Of course all public
>
>displays are of strong PR value for the Iris society, negatively or
>positively,
>
>depending on how the plants are grown.
>
>Of course what Paul has been talking about is more personal than a public
>
>garden. But believe it or not AIS still has robins flying. I could see where
>the
>
>efforts of a network of individuals could provide some real benefits very much
>
>like a robin. A standardized form, that could be easily filled out, might aid
>
>individuals in separate parts of the country to remember to comment on the
>same
>
>things. Even four individuals scattered across the country could give a useful
>
>clue as to the performance of an iris nationwide. If someone would like to
>
>volunteer to be a part of the Gardens-Committee they might work on
>coordination
>
>of such a project. Sadly I have so much on my plate at present that my garden
>is
>
>suffering, along with my wife, both of whom deserve more attention. I am not
>
>sure how much effort I have in me for another project, let alone guesting any
>
>irises myself. But I am sure there are others who would do this. I would like
>
>to, but if I abused the plants it would be unfair!
>
>  to the hybridizer and no real test.
>
>
>
>----- Original Message -----
>
>From: "Paul Archer" <pharcher@mindspring.com>
>
>To: iris@hort.net
>
>Sent: Tuesday, June 22, 2010 12:32:29 AM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern
>
>Subject: Re: [iris] iris DIGEST V1 #1084
>
>
>
>I know this is mostly falling on deaf ears at this point so I guess I'm really
>
>just stirring the pot (I like to do that!)
>
>
>
>I wasn't suggesting the AIS or anyone else take away your right to Register a
>
>variety or not.  Where did I say that?  Would I want that? No.  I am an
>
>American, but guess what ...I'm even more loyal to my beloved Irises!  Give me
>
>your tiered, your poorly branched, huddled masses yearning to breathe free.
>
>
>
>So, let's say being trialed in a test garden not be a part of Registration.
>And
>
>that is fine if you don't want your seedlings to be judged by others. Then
>fine
>
>don't participate (even though they will be anyway whether you want them to or
>
>not simply by releasing them and through time and in commerce).  However,
>there
>
>could still be a system of accreditation for varieties.  Yes, I know the
>Awards
>
>system as it stands is intended for that but apprently it's not working well
>
>enough to suffice, otherwise we wouldn't all be here in this chat forum
>
>complaning of all the problems we have growing them.  Yes, that shakes things
>up
>
>a quite a bit doesn't it!  Oh, don't I know how the majority of this group
>
>doesn't like change.
>
>
>
>Besides even if a seedlings was trialed and did poorly it could still be
>
>Registered by the Hybridizer.  We'd simply have a better idea of it's
>tendencies
>
>and abilities before making that decision to do so.
>
>
>
>There is also absolutely nothing stopping others on other continents or
>
>countries setting their own system of evaluation.  To imply that they have to
>
>send all of their plants over here would be absurd.
>
>
>
>The test gardens would be run by volunteers who already are more than happy to
>
>add yet another iris to their happy family.  This is for growability studies,
>
>not necessarily Awards judging, because technically the seedling is not
>
>Registered yet so is not up for an Award.  It is strictly a seedling
>evaluation
>
>trial for those that we might be intersted in Registering. I know I have some
>
>that might do even better somehwere else and push me to actually Register it.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>
>>From: M Bersillon <auxiris5@orange.fr>
>
>>Sent: Jun 21, 2010 9:32 AM
>
>>To: iris@hort.net
>
>>Subject: Re: [iris] iris DIGEST V1 #1084
>
>>
>
>>Hello. . . just a "lurker" most of the time, not a regular contributor, but I
>
>feel that I must respond to Paul's remark about trial gardens and the
>
>implication of using such things (sorry, I'm only assuming that this is what
>you
>
>mean, Paul) as prerequisites to the official registration of iris cultivars
>with
>
>the American Iris Society.  There were remarks about such a thing in one of
>the
>
>AIS Bulletins a few years back and I feel that I must say once again that, as
>a
>
>hybridizer, I do not agree with the idea of taking the decision to register
>
>irises out of the hands of the people who create them.  This is an open door
>to
>
>less, not more, responsible behaviour on the part of hybridizers (as in:  "Oh,
>
>well if someone else is going to decide for me anyway, then I don't have to
>
>bother to be so exacting") and there are many problems with requiring the
>
>passage of plants through a test garden in order to be granted access to
>
>registration. . .
>
>>
>
>>First of all, how many of us would honestly be willing to accept someone
>else's
>
>decision of "not registeration-worthy" regarding an iris that we truly believe
>
>is a good plant?  This goes way beyond asking other hybridizers or
>knowledgeable
>
>friends what they think of the plant and then making up your own mind!
>
>>
>
>>Then there's the whole practical business about where would the test gardens
>be
>
>and who would run them---not to mention with what money.
>
>>
>
>>Finally, please spare a thought for those of us hybridizing iris outside
>North
>
>America!  Since the AIS holds the register for the entire planet, would it
>then
>
>be fair to oblige "foreign originated" irises to jump through this extra hoop
>of
>
>trial gardens---which I'm imagining would be in the USA---in order just to
>have
>
>access to the registration process?  It's already difficult enough for foreign
>
>originated plants to have access to the AIS awards system through exclusive
>
>introduction in North America for their first year on the market.
>
>>
>
>>It seems to me that even though some inferior plants may find their way onto
>
>the market, they won't last long there if their performance is poor.  Also,
>
>remember that  inbreeding, which is often the price one must pay for finding
>
>something new, can also produce plants that aren't as strong and it may take
>
>time to stabilise new patterns or colour combinations so that plant quality is
>
>also present.
>
>>
>
>>My two cents worth!
>
>>
>
>>Michele Bersillon
>
>>
>
>>Le 21 juin 2010 ` 00:42, iris DIGEST a icrit :
>
>>
>
>>>
>
>>>
>
>>> iris DIGEST           Sunday, June 20 2010           Volume 01 : Number
>1084
>
>>>
>
>>>
>
>>>
>
>>> In this issue:
>
>>>
>
>>>        Re: [iris]:HYB:Goals:Preferences(was Limbo Seedlings)
>
>>>        Re: [iris]:HYB:Goals:Preferences(was Limbo Seedlings)
>
>>>        [iris] Re: Limbo Seedlings
>
>>>        RE: [iris] Re: Limbo Seedlings
>
>>>
>
>>> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>>>
>
>>> Date: Sun, 20 Jun 2010 18:42:04 -0400 (EDT)
>
>>> From: Paul Archer <pharcher@mindspring.com>
>
>>> Subject: Re: [iris]:HYB:Goals:Preferences(was Limbo Seedlings)
>
>>>
>
>>> I was speaking of proportion the way it relates to the overall look of the
>
>plant.  Large or even medium sized flowers on short stalks are not that
>
>appealing.  Well, maybe dainty ones stuck down there aren't much either.  Some
>
>of the smaller ones can have short and wide foliage and have tall enough
>stalks
>
>to appreciate the flowers they hold up out of the foliage.  The stalks may not
>
>fit the AIS Judges Handbook of standards for whichever class they fit into,
>but
>
>they should look nice just the same.  Dainty flowers sticking way up in the
>air
>
>as high as your shoulder (I'm 6'3) are not that appealing either, intriguing
>
>yes, but worth the garden space? I had one of those, and no, it isn't.  We're
>
>not even talking about flower form, color, haftiness at this point.  This is
>far
>
>more general.
>
>>>
>
>>> I had a nice TB seedling once that had the grassiest foliage I had ever
>seen
>
>(about 1/2 inch wide top to bottom) and it its stalk was thin and short and
>
>strong.  Darn it the flower was a neat carotenoid plicata almost the size of
>
>Silverado.  I kept it for a while but in the end it simply passed that short
>
>grassiness on to its children and the whole lot and seedling got tossed.
>
>>>
>
>>> Yes, show bench type stalks are a goal in seedlings, but more important is
>
>the how the plant perfoms as a whole.  It may have show bench stalks but that
>
>lower branch may not even show out of the leaves in the garden.
>
>>>
>
>>> If a plant touted as an improvement over its parent or grandparent that
>
>consistently dies over a two (or three) year period was obviosly a plant that
>
>was an improvement ... for the person who grew it.  It simply may not have
>been
>
>tried in other regions before being Registered and Introduced.  The trouble
>with
>
>Registration and Introduction is that most times they happen the same year.
>
>Why? I think we know why.  But this is another topic that has been discussed
>
>before.
>
>>>
>
>>> A rethink on how Irises are Registered might be in order.  Just simply
>
>knowing the parentage is enough (many don't even have that) and growing enough
>
>stock to sell probably should not be the only reasons to Register one.  And we
>
>are back to the topic of Trial Gardens.... and actually using them for that
>
>purpose.
>
>>>
>
>>>
>
>>>
>
>>> - -----Original Message-----
>
>>>> From: autmirislvr@aol.com
>
>>>> Sent: Jun 20, 2010 4:10 PM
>
>>>> To: iris@hort.net
>
>>>> Subject: Re: [iris]:HYB:Goals:Preferences(was Limbo Seedlings)
>
>>>>
>
>>>> Points of discussion:
>
>>>>
>
>>>> Hybidizers DO share both plants and pollen long before a new breakthrough
>
>hits
>
>>>> the market.  That is how children of said "wonder" hit the market so
>soon.
>
>>>> Some of the plants used in breeding are never introduced--(sibling of
>blah,
>
>>>> blah)
>
>>>>
>
>>>> Length of bloom season can be achieved in several ways.  Substance is
>great.
>
>>>> It's also possible to have stalks, within a clump, that initiate one at a
>
>time
>
>>>> throughout the season, and the blooms on the stalk may also open one or
>two
>
>>>> blooms at a time.  It's possible for a mature iris clump to have many
>days,
>
>or
>
>>>> possibly many weeks of bloom.  A good show bench iris may not be a good
>
>garden
>
>>>> iris based on the timing of individual blooms.
>
>>>>
>
>>>> Of course, rebloom is another method of extending bloom season!  One of
>my
>
>>>> favorites, but I'll take them all.
>
>>>>
>
>>>> Branching?  Is this garden branching or show bench branching?  A show
>branch
>
>>>> must only shine on one day, whereas the garden variety must hold it's own
>
>>>> against others for a much longer time period.  This is especially true of
>
>tall
>
>>>> bearded irises.
>
>>>>
>
>>>> I find myself looking for show bench branching on all of my seedlings
>
>although
>
>>>> I know that my rebloomers will rarely make a show bench based on the
>timing
>
>of
>
>>>> most iris shows.  I'd be better off looking for branching that shows well
>in
>
>>>> the garden, but old habits are hard to break.
>
>>>>
>
>>>> During my formative years as an iris hybridizer, I grew a beautiful
>
>Blue(ish)
>
>>>> iris that was tall with a consistent branching problem.  It always grew
>the
>
>>>> middle branch at a quarter turn on the stalk rather than opposite sides of
>
>the
>
>>>> branch!  It was a gorgeous bloom but most felt it should never have been
>
>>>> introduced, based on the branching deficiency.  Yet, this iris would get
>a
>
>>>> blue ribbon on the bench because it grew as introduced.
>
>>>>
>
>>>> Paul when you speak of proportion are you refering to both stalk and
>bloom
>
>>>> proportion and/or balance?
>
>>>>
>
>>>> Maybe the main difference of opinions lies in bloom preference?  Open
>
>>>> standards or domed standards?  Heavy haft marks or none at all?  Pastel
>
>colors
>
>>>> or heavily saturated dark colors?  Ruffles, lace or tailored edges?
>
>Plicatas,
>
>>>> selfs, bitones, etc.?  I love variegatas!
>
>>>>
>
>>>> If I buy an iris that is touted as an improvement and it dies for me
>within
>
>2
>
>>>> years, is it truly an improvement?  Or should it be considered inferior?
>
>>>>
>
>>>> Which irises bred from Edith Wolford were truly an improvement over EW?
>
>>>> Several may have been considered a success by their breeder/creator,
>
>depending
>
>>>> on their goals!  Use the same criteria with any of the other irises
>heavily
>
>>>> used in breeding.
>
>>>>
>
>>>> For an Edith Wolford cross to be a success for me it would have to be as
>is,
>
>>>> but healthy here in KY.  It has height, color, branching (most of the
>time)
>
>>>> and all other qualities I like!  Unfortunately, it doesn't live here.
>
>Except
>
>>>> in my huge pot, of course.  It lives, but still doesn't bloom every year.
>
>It
>
>>>> is still in some of my seedlings.  It passes on the bitone effect, height
>
>and
>
>>>> good branching in plants that live.  Most seedlings also have triple
>
>>>> terminals.  Just  because an iris bombs here doesn't mean it's children
>will
>
>>>> do the same.
>
>>>>
>
>>>> Many of the Romantic Evening children appeal to me more than RE, but who
>can
>
>>>> buy all 93 of them?  (I also have children of RE, but it is long gone)
>
>>>>
>
>>>> There are many irises introduced each year that don't appeal to me, yet,
>I'm
>
>>>> sure most furthered some goal of the hybridizer.  It's quite possible that
>
>I'd
>
>>>> say "ugh" to your (generic your) favorite iris, but that doesn't make
>them
>
>>>> inferior.
>
>>>>
>
>>>> How about that beautiful pink iris that looks just like two dozen
>(hundred)
>
>>>> other beautiful pink irises?  Was it folly to introduce it?  Or did it
>
>exhibit
>
>>>> something special or new to the hybridizer?
>
>>>>
>
>>>> Just saying that much of what we see is simply "the eye of the beholder."
>
>>>> This is one of the reasons for National Display Gardens and iris photos!
>
>>>>
>
>>>>
>
>>>> Betty Wilkerson . . . thanks for your time.
>
>>>> KY Zone 6
>
>>>>
>
>>>>
>
>>>>
>
>>>>
>
>>>>
>
>>>>
>
>>>> ---Original Message-----
>
>>>> From: Paul Archer <pharcher@mindspring.com>
>
>>>> To: iris@hort.net
>
>>>> Sent: Sun, Jun 20, 2010 12:44 pm
>
>>>> Subject: Re: [iris]:HYB:Goals:Preferences(was Limbo Seedlings)
>
>>>>
>
>>>>
>
>>>>
>
>>>> I personally select for plants with the following (since I breed TB's,
>
>MTB's,
>
>>>> ntermediates and Arilbreds)...
>
>>>> First off, each cross has a particular goal for a flower characteristic.
>If
>
>a
>
>>>> lower meets that goal or something unique shows up then the following is
>
>>>> valuated...
>
>>>> -Flowers that have good bloom substance (more then two days of life).  I
>
>would
>
>>>> lways like 3 days but that is
>
>>>> slim pickin's.
>
>>>> Upright foliage
>
>>>> Disease resistance (as well as blue-green foliage)
>
>>>> Stalks that do not need staking
>
>>>> Good branching (not as easy as it might seem)
>
>>>> At least two increases to bloom size
>
>>>> Proper proportion (regardless of class).
>
>>>> Bud count of at least 8 with a goal of triple sockets and/or lower
>branches
>
>>>> Rebloom if possible
>
>>>>
>
>>>> irst year seedlings are evaluated for color and general growth.  The
>second
>
>>>> ear is make it or break it unless foul weather has played a role in
>general.
>
>>>> f any one or two of those qualities is missing in a seedlng (but the
>flower
>
>>>> ust be exceptional) it is selected as breeding stock.  Any more than two
>
>>>> faults
>
>>>> s usually tossed. I do have one plant that is an exception to that rule
>and
>
>I
>
>>>> ill never, ever distribute it.  Once I get what I want from it it will
>get
>
>>>> ossed.
>
>>>> Arilbreds are something else altogether and have their own set of issues,
>
>but
>
>>>> imilarly judged.
>
>>>>
>
>>>> -----Original Message-----
>
>>>> From: autmirislvr@aol.com
>
>>>> Sent: Jun 20, 2010 12:14 PM
>
>>>> To: iris@hort.net
>
>>>> Subject: [iris]:HYB:Goals:Preferences(was Limbo Seedlings)
>
>>>>
>
>>>> This is a side issue to the Limbo Seedling thread.
>
>>>>
>
>>>> So many things to consider.
>
>>>>
>
>>>> <<second class seedlings>>
>
>>>>
>
>>>> An improvement might be a taller specimen, more branches, longer bloom
>
>>>> season,
>
>>>> deeper colors, etc..What are your goals and how do they mesh with what
>the
>
>>>> rest of us like?
>
>>>>
>
>>>>
>
>>>> Would some of the hybridizers on this list please give us some idea of
>what
>
>>>> they consider an advancement?  What are your goals?  What are you trying
>to
>
>>>> improve in the irises you breed?   Specifically, what would it take to be
>a
>
>>>> "first class" seedling in your garden?
>
>>>>
>
>>>> Each hybridizer has their own goals.  To an extent, an advancement or
>
>>>> "better"
>
>>>> iris is in the eye of the beholder.
>
>>>>
>
>>>> Feed Back, please!
>
>>>>
>
>>>> Betty Wilkerson . . . extremely fussy about colors and patterns.
>
>>>> Bridge In Time Irises
>
>>>> KY Zone 6
>
>>>>
>
>>>>
>
>>>> -----Original Message-----
>
>>>> From: Dana Brown <ddbro@sbcglobal.net>
>
>>>> To: iris@hort.net
>
>>>> Sent: Sun, Jun 20, 2010 8:56 am
>
>>>> Subject: RE: [iris] Re: Limbo Seedlings
>
>>>>
>
>>>>
>
>>>> Paul,
>
>>>>  Just imagine how much worse it would be if all the seconds and culls
>
>>>> ere floating around out there as well.  If your "limbo" seedlings are
>
>>>> etter than so many of the current intros, then kudos to you for being a
>
>>>> iscerning hybridizer/irisarian!!  Why would you want to lower your
>
>>>> tandards at this point?
>
>>>>  As far as all the tracking and record keeping....well, given the
>
>>>> umber of misnamed or no name iris already out there I guess we already
>know
>
>>>> hat not everyone keeps good records.
>
>>>>  Bottom line for me as a hybridizer, no, I don't want to send my
>
>>>> econd class seedlings out in public where they might get released into
>
>>>> eneral population.
>
>>>> Dana
>
>>>> Dana D. Brown
>
>>>> IS, ASI, MIS, RIS, SPIS, TBIS
>
>>>> alevil Iris Gardens & Kennels
>
>>>> ww.malevil-iris.com
>
>>>> ubbock, TX  79403
>
>>>> one 7 USDA, Zone 10 Sunset
>
>>>> dbro@sbcglobal.net
>
>>>> Home of:
>
>>>> errimac's Amarula CGC TDI
>
>>>> H. Merrimac the Agean CD, RA, CGC, TDI
>
>>>>
>
>>>> ----Original Message-----
>
>>>> rom: owner-iris@hort.net [o*@hort.net] On Behalf Of Paul
>
>>>> rcher
>
>>>> ent: Saturday, June 19, 2010 6:33 PM
>
>>>> o: Iris chat forum
>
>>>> ubject: [iris] Re: Limbo Seedlings
>
>>>> I agree with that as well.  However, considering the sheer amount of
>
>>>> egistered plants I have paid good money for and turned out to be complete
>
>>>> rap for various reasons and most of my "limbo" seedlings surpass the ones
>I
>
>>>> ought, and by that standard maybe I should be Registering a whole lot
>more.
>
>>>> lso some Registered plants make very poor parents once I get seeds from
>
>>>> hem, yet they were Registered by the Hybridizer anyway.  The assumption
>
>>>> hat a Registered plant is a worthy parent is mute.  But sorry to burst
>your
>
>>>> ubble but the danger of releasing poor plant has already been surpassed
>
>>>> umerous times and is now and endemic problem, yet may great cultivars are
>
>>>> oming from these very plants through selection efforts.  The difference
>is
>
>>>> he Hybridizer standard of which mine is very high.
>
>>>> It could also be said that those "limbo" seedlings that would be released
>
>>>> nto this proposed program would need to be kept track of by the purchaser
>
>>>> nd Hybridizer and not released as a cultivar for the sheer sake of
>
>>>> ropagation purposes unless it has been evaluated by numerous people,
>
>>>> eedback reported on, and the decision made by the Hybridizer to remove it
>
>>>> rom "limbo" list and actually Registered.  Yes, that takes some work, but
>
>>>> hat prevents the seedling being distributed under a false name or
>confusion
>
>>>> nd is certainly no worse than distributing the Registered ones that I
>would
>
>>>> ust as soon toss the second or third year I've seen them bloom.
>
>>>> hat is likely the root cause of much of the problem we have occuring
>today.
>
>>>>
>
>>>> Original message:-------
>
>>>>
>
>>>> feel that there is danger in releasing to the public seedlings that
>though
>
>>>> beautiful are not quite worthy of registration and introduction.
>
>>>> irst:  One goal as hybridizers should be to improve irises.  If we allow
>
>>>> ven slightly inferior cultivars to be diseminated-among the public, we
>are
>
>>>> ot being faithful to that goal.   Second:  These nameless seedlings are
>
>>>> ertain to become confused with look alike named varieties to the
>detriment
>
>>>> f the named varieties and to the people who buy them misnamed.
>
>>>> know we all have favorite seedlings like this.  I always say, "I'll keep
>
>>>> t until I need the room for something better".  When I am excited about
>the
>
>>>> better one, I find it doesn't hurt to let the lesser one go.
>
>>>> rancelle Edwards
>
>>>> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>>>> o sign-off this list, send email to majordomo@hort.net with the
>
>>>> essage text UNSUBSCRIBE IRIS
>
>>>> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>>>> o sign-off this list, send email to majordomo@hort.net with the
>
>>>> essage text UNSUBSCRIBE IRIS
>
>>>>
>
>>>> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>>>> o sign-off this list, send email to majordomo@hort.net with the
>
>>>> essage text UNSUBSCRIBE IRIS
>
>>>>
>
>>>
>
>>> ------------------------------
>
>>>
>
>>> Date: Sun, 20 Jun 2010 16:46:03 -0400
>
>>> From: "J. Griffin Crump" <jgcrump@cox.net>
>
>>> Subject: Re: [iris]:HYB:Goals:Preferences(was Limbo Seedlings)
>
>>>
>
>>> Betty writes:
>
>>> "For an Edith Wolford cross to be a success for me it would have to be as
>
>>> is,
>
>>> but healthy here in KY.  It has height, color, branching (most of the
>time)
>
>>> and all other qualities I like!  Unfortunately, it doesn't live here.
>
>>> Except
>
>>> in my huge pot, of course.  It lives, but still doesn't bloom every year.
>
>>> It
>
>>> is still in some of my seedlings.  It passes on the bitone effect, height
>
>>> and
>
>>> good branching in plants that live.  Most seedlings also have triple
>
>>> terminals.  Just  because an iris bombs here doesn't mean it's children
>will
>
>>> do the same.
>
>>>
>
>>> Many of the Romantic Evening children appeal to me more than RE, but who
>can
>
>>> buy all 93 of them?  (I also have children of RE, but it is long gone)"
>
>>>
>
>>> We've discussed the theme of weak-growing irises many times before, but for
>
>>> the benefit of our newer members, I'll mention that I have never been able
>
>>> to keep Edith Wolford alive long enough here to make a cross, but its
>
>>> progeny, Jurassic Park, grows well and has given me nice seedlings.
>
>>> Similarly, Best Bet has never lasted more than 2 years here, but has given
>
>>> me some introducers.  Finally, Romantic Evening just struggles along here,
>
>>> but has given me some of my best introductions and breeders.  So, as Betty
>
>>> says, there's more to consider than just how well an introduced plant grows
>
>>> in a particular place.  --  Griff
>
>>>
>
>>> Griffin's Den
>
>>> http://www.pilmore.com/griffinsden/default.html
>
>>> Zone 7 along the tidal Potomac near Mount Vernon, in Virginia
>
>>>
>
>>> - ----- Original Message -----
>
>>> From: <autmirislvr@aol.com>
>
>>> To: <iris@hort.net>
>
>>> Sent: Sunday, June 20, 2010 4:10 PM
>
>>> Subject: Re: [iris]:HYB:Goals:Preferences(was Limbo Seedlings)
>
>>>
>
>>>
>
>>>> Points of discussion:
>
>>>>
>
>>>> Hybidizers DO share both plants and pollen long before a new breakthrough
>
>>>> hits
>
>>>> the market.  That is how children of said "wonder" hit the market so
>soon.
>
>>>> Some of the plants used in breeding are never introduced--(sibling of
>
>>>> blah,
>
>>>> blah)
>
>>>>
>
>>>> Length of bloom season can be achieved in several ways.  Substance is
>
>>>> great.
>
>>>> It's also possible to have stalks, within a clump, that initiate one at a
>
>>>> time
>
>>>> throughout the season, and the blooms on the stalk may also open one or
>
>>>> two
>
>>>> blooms at a time.  It's possible for a mature iris clump to have many
>
>>>> days, or
>
>>>> possibly many weeks of bloom.  A good show bench iris may not be a good
>
>>>> garden
>
>>>> iris based on the timing of individual blooms.
>
>>>>
>
>>>> Of course, rebloom is another method of extending bloom season!  One of
>my
>
>>>> favorites, but I'll take them all.
>
>>>>
>
>>>> Branching?  Is this garden branching or show bench branching?  A show
>
>>>> branch
>
>>>> must only shine on one day, whereas the garden variety must hold it's own
>
>>>> against others for a much longer time period.  This is especially true of
>
>>>> tall
>
>>>> bearded irises.
>
>>>>
>
>>>> I find myself looking for show bench branching on all of my seedlings
>
>>>> although
>
>>>> I know that my rebloomers will rarely make a show bench based on the
>
>>>> timing of
>
>>>> most iris shows.  I'd be better off looking for branching that shows well
>
>>>> in
>
>>>> the garden, but old habits are hard to break.
>
>>>>
>
>>>> During my formative years as an iris hybridizer, I grew a beautiful
>
>>>> Blue(ish)
>
>>>> iris that was tall with a consistent branching problem.  It always grew
>
>>>> the
>
>>>> middle branch at a quarter turn on the stalk rather than opposite sides of
>
>>>> the
>
>>>> branch!  It was a gorgeous bloom but most felt it should never have been
>
>>>> introduced, based on the branching deficiency.  Yet, this iris would get
>a
>
>>>> blue ribbon on the bench because it grew as introduced.
>
>>>>
>
>>>> Paul when you speak of proportion are you refering to both stalk and
>bloom
>
>>>> proportion and/or balance?
>
>>>>
>
>>>> Maybe the main difference of opinions lies in bloom preference?  Open
>
>>>> standards or domed standards?  Heavy haft marks or none at all?  Pastel
>
>>>> colors
>
>>>> or heavily saturated dark colors?  Ruffles, lace or tailored edges?
>
>>>> Plicatas,
>
>>>> selfs, bitones, etc.?  I love variegatas!
>
>>>>
>
>>>> If I buy an iris that is touted as an improvement and it dies for me
>
>>>> within 2
>
>>>> years, is it truly an improvement?  Or should it be considered inferior?
>
>>>>
>
>>>> Which irises bred from Edith Wolford were truly an improvement over EW?
>
>>>> Several may have been considered a success by their breeder/creator,
>
>>>> depending
>
>>>> on their goals!  Use the same criteria with any of the other irises
>
>>>> heavily
>
>>>> used in breeding.
>
>>>>
>
>>>> For an Edith Wolford cross to be a success for me it would have to be as
>
>>>> is,
>
>>>> but healthy here in KY.  It has height, color, branching (most of the
>
>>>> time)
>
>>>> and all other qualities I like!  Unfortunately, it doesn't live here.
>
>>>> Except
>
>>>> in my huge pot, of course.  It lives, but still doesn't bloom every year.
>
>>>> It
>
>>>> is still in some of my seedlings.  It passes on the bitone effect, height
>
>>>> and
>
>>>> good branching in plants that live.  Most seedlings also have triple
>
>>>> terminals.  Just  because an iris bombs here doesn't mean it's children
>
>>>> will
>
>>>> do the same.
>
>>>>
>
>>>> Many of the Romantic Evening children appeal to me more than RE, but who
>
>>>> can
>
>>>> buy all 93 of them?  (I also have children of RE, but it is long gone)
>
>>>>
>
>>>> There are many irises introduced each year that don't appeal to me, yet,
>
>>>> I'm
>
>>>> sure most furthered some goal of the hybridizer.  It's quite possible that
>
>>>> I'd
>
>>>> say "ugh" to your (generic your) favorite iris, but that doesn't make
>them
>
>>>> inferior.
>
>>>>
>
>>>> How about that beautiful pink iris that looks just like two dozen
>
>>>> (hundred)
>
>
>
>>>> other beautiful pink irises?  Was it folly to introduce it?  Or did it
>
>>>> exhibit
>
>>>> something special or new to the hybridizer?
>
>>>>
>
>>>> Just saying that much of what we see is simply "the eye of the beholder."
>
>>>> This is one of the reasons for National Display Gardens and iris photos!
>
>>>>
>
>>>>
>
>>>> Betty Wilkerson . . . thanks for your time.
>
>>>> KY Zone 6
>
>>>>
>
>>>>
>
>>>>
>
>>>>
>
>>>>
>
>>>>
>
>>>> ---Original Message-----
>
>>>> From: Paul Archer <pharcher@mindspring.com>
>
>>>> To: iris@hort.net
>
>>>> Sent: Sun, Jun 20, 2010 12:44 pm
>
>>>> Subject: Re: [iris]:HYB:Goals:Preferences(was Limbo Seedlings)
>
>>>>
>
>>>>
>
>>>>
>
>>>> I personally select for plants with the following (since I breed TB's,
>
>>>> MTB's,
>
>>>> ntermediates and Arilbreds)...
>
>>>> First off, each cross has a particular goal for a flower characteristic.
>
>>>> If a
>
>>>> lower meets that goal or something unique shows up then the following is
>
>>>> valuated...
>
>>>> -Flowers that have good bloom substance (more then two days of life).  I
>
>>>> would
>
>>>> lways like 3 days but that is
>
>>>> slim pickin's.
>
>>>> Upright foliage
>
>>>> Disease resistance (as well as blue-green foliage)
>
>>>> Stalks that do not need staking
>
>>>> Good branching (not as easy as it might seem)
>
>>>> At least two increases to bloom size
>
>>>> Proper proportion (regardless of class).
>
>>>> Bud count of at least 8 with a goal of triple sockets and/or lower
>
>>>> branches
>
>>>> Rebloom if possible
>
>>>>
>
>>>> irst year seedlings are evaluated for color and general growth.  The
>
>>>> second
>
>>>> ear is make it or break it unless foul weather has played a role in
>
>>>> general.
>
>>>> f any one or two of those qualities is missing in a seedlng (but the
>
>>>> flower
>
>>>> ust be exceptional) it is selected as breeding stock.  Any more than two
>
>>>> faults
>
>>>> s usually tossed. I do have one plant that is an exception to that rule
>
>>>> and I
>
>>>> ill never, ever distribute it.  Once I get what I want from it it will
>get
>
>>>> ossed.
>
>>>> Arilbreds are something else altogether and have their own set of issues,
>
>>>> but
>
>>>> imilarly judged.
>
>>>>
>
>>>> -----Original Message-----
>
>>>> From: autmirislvr@aol.com
>
>>>> Sent: Jun 20, 2010 12:14 PM
>
>>>> To: iris@hort.net
>
>>>> Subject: [iris]:HYB:Goals:Preferences(was Limbo Seedlings)
>
>>>>
>
>>>> This is a side issue to the Limbo Seedling thread.
>
>>>>
>
>>>> So many things to consider.
>
>>>>
>
>>>> <<second class seedlings>>
>
>>>>
>
>>>> An improvement might be a taller specimen, more branches, longer bloom
>
>>>> season,
>
>>>> deeper colors, etc..What are your goals and how do they mesh with what
>the
>
>>>> rest of us like?
>
>>>>
>
>>>>
>
>>>> Would some of the hybridizers on this list please give us some idea of
>
>>>> what
>
>>>> they consider an advancement?  What are your goals?  What are you trying
>
>>>> to
>
>>>> improve in the irises you breed?   Specifically, what would it take to be
>
>>>> a
>
>>>> "first class" seedling in your garden?
>
>>>>
>
>>>> Each hybridizer has their own goals.  To an extent, an advancement or
>
>>>> "better"
>
>>>> iris is in the eye of the beholder.
>
>>>>
>
>>>> Feed Back, please!
>
>>>>
>
>>>> Betty Wilkerson . . . extremely fussy about colors and patterns.
>
>>>> Bridge In Time Irises
>
>>>> KY Zone 6
>
>>>>
>
>>>>
>
>>>> -----Original Message-----
>
>>>> From: Dana Brown <ddbro@sbcglobal.net>
>
>>>> To: iris@hort.net
>
>>>> Sent: Sun, Jun 20, 2010 8:56 am
>
>>>> Subject: RE: [iris] Re: Limbo Seedlings
>
>>>>
>
>>>>
>
>>>> Paul,
>
>>>>  Just imagine how much worse it would be if all the seconds and culls
>
>>>> ere floating around out there as well.  If your "limbo" seedlings are
>
>>>> etter than so many of the current intros, then kudos to you for being a
>
>>>> iscerning hybridizer/irisarian!!  Why would you want to lower your
>
>>>> tandards at this point?
>
>>>>  As far as all the tracking and record keeping....well, given the
>
>>>> umber of misnamed or no name iris already out there I guess we already
>
>>>> know
>
>>>> hat not everyone keeps good records.
>
>>>>  Bottom line for me as a hybridizer, no, I don't want to send my
>
>>>> econd class seedlings out in public where they might get released into
>
>>>> eneral population.
>
>>>> Dana
>
>>>> Dana D. Brown
>
>>>> IS, ASI, MIS, RIS, SPIS, TBIS
>
>>>> alevil Iris Gardens & Kennels
>
>>>> ww.malevil-iris.com
>
>>>> ubbock, TX  79403
>
>>>> one 7 USDA, Zone 10 Sunset
>
>>>> dbro@sbcglobal.net
>
>>>> Home of:
>
>>>> errimac's Amarula CGC TDI
>
>>>> H. Merrimac the Agean CD, RA, CGC, TDI
>
>>>>
>
>>>> ----Original Message-----
>
>>>> rom: owner-iris@hort.net [o*@hort.net] On Behalf Of Paul
>
>>>> rcher
>
>>>> ent: Saturday, June 19, 2010 6:33 PM
>
>>>> o: Iris chat forum
>
>>>> ubject: [iris] Re: Limbo Seedlings
>
>>>> I agree with that as well.  However, considering the sheer amount of
>
>>>> egistered plants I have paid good money for and turned out to be complete
>
>>>> rap for various reasons and most of my "limbo" seedlings surpass the ones
>
>>>> I
>
>>>> ought, and by that standard maybe I should be Registering a whole lot
>
>>>> more.
>
>>>> lso some Registered plants make very poor parents once I get seeds from
>
>>>> hem, yet they were Registered by the Hybridizer anyway.  The assumption
>
>>>> hat a Registered plant is a worthy parent is mute.  But sorry to burst
>
>>>> your
>
>>>> ubble but the danger of releasing poor plant has already been surpassed
>
>>>> umerous times and is now and endemic problem, yet may great cultivars are
>
>>>> oming from these very plants through selection efforts.  The difference
>is
>
>>>> he Hybridizer standard of which mine is very high.
>
>>>> It could also be said that those "limbo" seedlings that would be released
>
>>>> nto this proposed program would need to be kept track of by the purchaser
>
>>>> nd Hybridizer and not released as a cultivar for the sheer sake of
>
>>>> ropagation purposes unless it has been evaluated by numerous people,
>
>>>> eedback reported on, and the decision made by the Hybridizer to remove it
>
>>>> rom "limbo" list and actually Registered.  Yes, that takes some work, but
>
>>>> hat prevents the seedling being distributed under a false name or
>
>>>> confusion
>
>>>> nd is certainly no worse than distributing the Registered ones that I
>
>>>> would
>
>>>> ust as soon toss the second or third year I've seen them bloom.
>
>>>> hat is likely the root cause of much of the problem we have occuring
>
>>>> today.
>
>>>>
>
>>>> Original message:-------
>
>>>>
>
>>>> feel that there is danger in releasing to the public seedlings that
>though
>
>>>> beautiful are not quite worthy of registration and introduction.
>
>>>> irst:  One goal as hybridizers should be to improve irises.  If we allow
>
>>>> ven slightly inferior cultivars to be diseminated-among the public, we
>are
>
>>>> ot being faithful to that goal.   Second:  These nameless seedlings are
>
>>>> ertain to become confused with look alike named varieties to the
>detriment
>
>>>> f the named varieties and to the people who buy them misnamed.
>
>>>> know we all have favorite seedlings like this.  I always say, "I'll keep
>
>>>> t until I need the room for something better".  When I am excited about
>
>>>> the
>
>>>> better one, I find it doesn't hurt to let the lesser one go.
>
>>>> rancelle Edwards
>
>>>> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>>>> o sign-off this list, send email to majordomo@hort.net with the
>
>>>> essage text UNSUBSCRIBE IRIS
>
>>>> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>>>> o sign-off this list, send email to majordomo@hort.net with the
>
>>>> essage text UNSUBSCRIBE IRIS
>
>>>>
>
>>>> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>>>> o sign-off this list, send email to majordomo@hort.net with the
>
>>>> essage text UNSUBSCRIBE IRIS
>
>>>>
>
>>>
>
>>> ------------------------------
>
>>>
>
>>> Date: Sat, 19 Jun 2010 19:33:28 -0400 (EDT)
>
>>> From: Paul Archer <pharcher@mindspring.com>
>
>>> Subject: [iris] Re: Limbo Seedlings
>
>>>
>
>>> I agree with that as well.  However, considering the sheer amount of
>
>Registered plants I have paid good money for and turned out to be complete
>crap
>
>for various reasons and most of my "limbo" seedlings surpass the ones I
>bought,
>
>and by that standard maybe I should be Registering a whole lot more.  Also
>some
>
>Registered plants make very poor parents once I get seeds from them, yet they
>
>were Registered by the Hybridizer anyway.  The assumption that a Registered
>
>plant is a worthy parent is mute.  But sorry to burst your bubble but the
>danger
>
>of releasing poor plant has already been surpassed numerous times and is now
>and
>
>endemic problem, yet may great cultivars are coming from these very plants
>
>through selection efforts.  The difference is the Hybridizer standard of which
>
>mine is very high.
>
>>>
>
>>> It could also be said that those "limbo" seedlings that would be released
>
>into this proposed program would need to be kept track of by the purchaser and
>
>Hybridizer and not released as a cultivar for the sheer sake of propagation
>
>purposes unless it has been evaluated by numerous people, feedback reported
>on,
>
>and the decision made by the Hybridizer to remove it from "limbo" list and
>
>actually Registered.  Yes, that takes some work, but that prevents the
>seedling
>
>being distributed under a false name or confusion and is certainly no worse
>than
>
>distributing the Registered ones that I would just as soon toss the second or
>
>third year I've seen them bloom.
>
>>> That is likely the root cause of much of the problem we have occuring
>today.
>
>>>
>
>>>
>
>>>
>
>>> Original message:-------
>
>>>
>
>>>
>
>>> I feel that there is danger in releasing to the public seedlings that
>though
>
>>> beautiful are not quite worthy of registration and introduction.
>
>>> First:  One goal as hybridizers should be to improve irises.  If we allow
>
>>> even slightly inferior cultivars to be diseminated-among the public, we are
>
>>> not being faithful to that goal.   Second:  These nameless seedlings are
>
>>> certain to become confused with look alike named varieties to the detriment
>
>>> of the named varieties and to the people who buy them misnamed.
>
>>> I know we all have favorite seedlings like this.  I always say, "I'll keep
>
>>> it until I need the room for something better".  When I am excited about
>the
>
>>> better one, I find it doesn't hurt to let the lesser one go.
>
>>> Francelle Edwards
>
>>>
>
>>> ------------------------------
>
>>>
>
>>> Date: Sun, 20 Jun 2010 08:56:27 -0500
>
>>> From: "Dana Brown" <ddbro@sbcglobal.net>
>
>>> Subject: RE: [iris] Re: Limbo Seedlings
>
>>>
>
>>> Paul,
>
>>>  Just imagine how much worse it would be if all the seconds and culls
>
>>> were floating around out there as well.  If your "limbo" seedlings are
>
>>> better than so many of the current intros, then kudos to you for being a
>
>>> discerning hybridizer/irisarian!!  Why would you want to lower your
>
>>> standards at this point?
>
>>>  As far as all the tracking and record keeping....well, given the
>
>>> number of misnamed or no name iris already out there I guess we already
>know
>
>>> that not everyone keeps good records.
>
>>>  Bottom line for me as a hybridizer, no, I don't want to send my
>
>>> second class seedlings out in public where they might get released into
>
>>> general population.
>
>>>
>
>>> Dana
>
>>>
>
>>> Dana D. Brown
>
>>> AIS, ASI, MIS, RIS, SPIS, TBIS
>
>>> Malevil Iris Gardens & Kennels
>
>>> www.malevil-iris.com
>
>>> Lubbock, TX  79403
>
>>> Zone 7 USDA, Zone 10 Sunset
>
>>> ddbro@sbcglobal.net
>
>>>
>
>>> Home of:
>
>>> Merrimac's Amarula CGC TDI
>
>>> CH. Merrimac the Agean CD, RA, CGC, TDI
>
>>>
>
>>>
>
>>> - -----Original Message-----
>
>>> From: owner-iris@hort.net [o*@hort.net] On Behalf Of Paul
>
>>> Archer
>
>>> Sent: Saturday, June 19, 2010 6:33 PM
>
>>> To: Iris chat forum
>
>>> Subject: [iris] Re: Limbo Seedlings
>
>>>
>
>>> I agree with that as well.  However, considering the sheer amount of
>
>>> Registered plants I have paid good money for and turned out to be complete
>
>>> crap for various reasons and most of my "limbo" seedlings surpass the ones
>I
>
>>> bought, and by that standard maybe I should be Registering a whole lot
>more.
>
>>> Also some Registered plants make very poor parents once I get seeds from
>
>>> them, yet they were Registered by the Hybridizer anyway.  The assumption
>
>>> that a Registered plant is a worthy parent is mute.  But sorry to burst
>your
>
>>> bubble but the danger of releasing poor plant has already been surpassed
>
>>> numerous times and is now and endemic problem, yet may great cultivars are
>
>>> coming from these very plants through selection efforts.  The difference
>is
>
>>> the Hybridizer standard of which mine is very high.
>
>>>
>
>>> It could also be said that those "limbo" seedlings that would be released
>
>>> into this proposed program would need to be kept track of by the purchaser
>
>>> and Hybridizer and not released as a cultivar for the sheer sake of
>
>>> propagation purposes unless it has been evaluated by numerous people,
>
>>> feedback reported on, and the decision made by the Hybridizer to remove it
>
>>> from "limbo" list and actually Registered.  Yes, that takes some work, but
>
>>> that prevents the seedling being distributed under a false name or
>confusion
>
>>> and is certainly no worse than distributing the Registered ones that I
>would
>
>>> just as soon toss the second or third year I've seen them bloom.
>
>>> That is likely the root cause of much of the problem we have occuring
>today.
>
>>>
>
>>>
>
>>>
>
>>> Original message:-------
>
>>>
>
>>>
>
>>> I feel that there is danger in releasing to the public seedlings that
>though
>
>>>
>
>>> beautiful are not quite worthy of registration and introduction.
>
>>> First:  One goal as hybridizers should be to improve irises.  If we allow
>
>>> even slightly inferior cultivars to be diseminated-among the public, we are
>
>>> not being faithful to that goal.   Second:  These nameless seedlings are
>
>>> certain to become confused with look alike named varieties to the detriment
>
>>> of the named varieties and to the people who buy them misnamed.
>
>>> I know we all have favorite seedlings like this.  I always say, "I'll keep
>
>>> it until I need the room for something better".  When I am excited about
>the
>
>>>
>
>>> better one, I find it doesn't hurt to let the lesser one go.
>
>>> Francelle Edwards
>
>>>
>
>>> ------------------------------
>
>>>
>
>>> End of iris DIGEST V1 #1084
>
>>> ***************************
>
>>>
>
>>> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>>> To sign-off this list, send email to majordomo@hort.net with the
>
>>> message text UNSUBSCRIBE IRIS-DIGEST
>
>>
>
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>
>>To sign-off this list, send email to majordomo@hort.net with the
>
>>message text UNSUBSCRIBE IRIS
>
>
>
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>
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>
>message text UNSUBSCRIBE IRIS
>
>
>
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>
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>
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>
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