Re: SDB oddities
- To: Multiple recipients of list <i*@rt66.com>
- Subject: Re: SDB oddities
- From: R* T* D* <r*@sierratel.com>
- Date: Thu, 27 Mar 1997 21:53:13 -0700 (MST)
J. F. Hensler wrote:
>
> I have an older unidentified SDB that, once established, produces FOUR
> standards and FOUR falls. This isn't due to stress. It's one of the
> happiest plants I've got and runs wild every year. Color is deep purple
> with tigering at the hafts and about 10" tall most years and the blooms are
> beautifully balanced in shape.
>
> Does anyone else have something in this type that does this?
>
> I'm hoping I can do some crosses to bring out this tendency.
>
> Thanks,
> Christy Hensler
Christy,
In my experience this is not a rare occurence. As Libby pointed out
Jewel Baby can be counted on for producing extra petals. However here
Jewel Baby produces a second set of stalks soon after the first (repeat
bloom) and they are usually ok. I encounter this on occasion in my
seeding patch of hundreds of SDB seedlings. This trait seems to be
genetic. I have kept certain seedlings that do this and they repeat
this year after year so I doubt that weather is a factor. Also, usually
all flowers are not affected in a clump and the mixture of three petaled
and four petaled can be distracting. I would not register/introduce an
iris that does this unless that was my specific goal and "all" flowers
were stable with this trait.
Rick Tasco
Superstition Iris Gardens
Central California
Zone 8
