Re: Re: HYB: Seedlings

In a message dated 3/25/2006 8:36:20 P.M. Central Standard Time,  
flatnflashy@yahoo.com writes:

<<So how do y'all get from the drawing board to the  bed?>>
 
My listing on the drawing board is quite extensive.  Over kill  really.  I've 
planned the crosses every way possible.  I've even gone  back and made myself 
look for the wider potential.  Unconventional crosses,  alternate crosses.  
It's all on record.  
 
While I was studying, I was also preparing a notebook that I can take to  the 
garden table.  Most days it will lie untouched, but the information is  there 
if I need it.  It had to be heavy enough to withstand some really  strong 
winds.  I've a 2 1/2 inch ringed binder with protective page  covers.  
 
I've reduced my breeding irises to a core of rebloomers and rebloom  
carriers.  The notebook contains the pedigrees for this core group.   It also contains 
garden charts of the beds.  These charts list every iris  in the garden.  All 
of my planned crosses are on Excel sheets and can go in  the notebook IF my 
memory starts to fail.   The notebook is  full.
 
I've spent so much time with the information during the winter, that I know  
which crosses I want to make.  Sometimes my plans are ruined because  
something doesn't bloom.  I have several 2 year beds this spring  and should be able 
to depend on bloom, with 2005 acquisitions being the only  ones with iffy 
bloom.  . 
 
The variable is the time of bloom.  Some of the irises are  switching bloom 
time (EML) on me and I don't know what I can count on at  this point.  I have 
frozen pollen and I do collect pollen from irises I  want to use later.  
Sometimes, I get busy and forget to use it!  I  have to improve my memory!  
 
Christian, when it comes right down to the time to make crosses, I don't  
spend much time with the notes or books.  I take a 9.5 X 6 inch  notebook with 
me.  It's already marked and numbered and in the hybridizing  "kit."  This is 
where I record the actual cross and any pertinent  information: date, time, 
weather conditions, flower conditions, etc.  
 
I depend on my memory, but I have the backup when and if I need it.  



Still, each season there are some "frustration" crosses and they are often  
the most fun to watch bloom!  
 
 
________________________________________________________
If you  don't cross them, you can't  plant them! 
Betty W. in South-central  KY Zone 6 ---
Bridge In Time Iris Garden@website:
_www.thegardensite.com/irises/bridgeintime/_ 
(http://www.thegardensite.com/irises/bridgeintime/) 
_Reblooming Iris - Home Page_ (http://www.rebloomingiris.com/)  
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_AIS: American Iris Society website_ (http://www.irises.org/)   

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