HYB: Getting Takes

Sharlyn Rocha wrote:

:   When we crossed Clouds Adrift x Lady Friend we were never successful. 
:   Are there some iris that just won't cross?  Or did we do it wrong?  We put 
:   a brown paper bag over the pods to keep out the insects and keep the cross 
:   pure.  Was this what caused the problem?  Was this necessary?
:   Is there a certain time of day that is better for pollinating?

Some crosses are more difficult to make than others, but even a cross that
produces seeds when the timing is right won't produce a take if the timing is
off.  Use completely ripe pollen -- check that it has dehisced.  And check that
the stigmatic lip you're going to cross it onto is freshly exposed and still
glistening with moisture. 

The freshness of the flower seems to be more important than the time of day, but
here in southern New Mexico even crosses seem to have a better chance.  Morning
crosses don't take when the afternoon temperatures get too high. 

Sharon McAllister
73372.1745@compuserve.com
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