Re: [IRIS] Iris recognition: Viewpoints - problems - solutions was reblooming space age luminata

It seems to me that two major issues with backyard hybridizers
are distribution and recognition. It costs a bit of money to send
2-3 rhizomes to every regional and one national convention each year.
This may quickly discourage the novice/recreational hybridizer from
getting widespread distribution of their plants.  This leads to the second
problem: recognition. I would hazard a guess that most of the premier
hybridizers of today had a lot of similar problems when they were starting
out. It takes dedication, perserverance and patience over a lengthy period
of time to achieve recognition. Then there is the advantage of space. Larger
hybridizers generally have the space (and time) to get the cream of the crop
from *thousands* of seedlings to get one worthy of major awards. That is
not to say that someone can't win a Dykes medal from a single pod (it has
happened) but it is somewhat easier when you can pick the best 20 seedlings
from 20,000. It also takes a large chunk of time to care for and evaluate
large
numbers of seedlings.

Add to that the aforementioned judge shortage. If you think that isn't a
problem,
try finding judges for a show.  If you are not a judge, you have no idea of
the
time demands and the size of area traveled. There is a judge shortage, and
you
can bet their time is spent where the most can get done at one time, i.e.,
larger
commercail gardens. It should be fun and rewarding to be a judge, not a
burden.
All who do not like the difficulties small hybridizers have need to get
their judges
credentials and go on a mission to promote small hybridizers. All small
hybridizers
who want awards need to plan distribution and work on "selling" the merits
of their
creations to the judges-- I do not think this is one where "if you build it
they will
come" applies.

Just my .02$

John Bruce
Hidden Acres Iris Gardens

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