Re: Hyb:Genetics

Jan Clark wrote:
 
> Q2: The Pumilla spot appears to be dominant, as it is appearing on
> crosses with T.B.'s. Is it a single genetic trait, or does it involve a
> number of genes?
>
> Q3: 'Burst' (Blyth 93) is yellow with a large red burst on the falls
> (like a pumilla spot). He insists that this is really a fancy plicata,
> and it's breeding suggests this (Swain x (Mountain Melody x Polished
> Amber)). Why the odd colouring?

This is one of the subjects I think I wore everybody out with way back
in the early days of the list.  I love the spot/"umbrata"/burst fall
patterns (darker center/lighter edges).  Maybe Tom Little will add
something to the discussion if he's still listening, but my impression
is that the genetics of these patterns hasn't been completely worked
out.  In 'hyb 201' or whatever we've been calling it, I have gotten the
impression that the way the genetics of most? all? some? of these
patterns is worked out is by intensive geneological detective work using
the Registration and Introduction checklists, just as you have done to
interpret the 'fancy plicata' interpretation.  Since Barry Blyth seems
to have introduced a lot of varieties with these patterns (I don't even
know if the spot/umbrata/burst are the same or not even related), he
probably knows the most about the subject.  I think he's visiting this
country.  Or will be soon.  Please "interview" him for us!  I also
wonder what the old (pallida/variegata) diploid cultivars were that he
used in his breeding program that someone on the list mentioned a while
back (hope I got that right - Griff?).

And later Jan wrote:

>  wouldn't new irises bred from old, improving on certain 
> qualities, be a good aim for an interested hybridiser. New colours and 
> patterns could be introduced while maintaining a more classical form.
> What do others think?
> What qualities would be desirable for the modern gardener?
 
Well, that seems to be what I am doing, but purely for my own selfish
reasons.  All I want is a few sweetly fragrant irises that will bloom
profusely every year regardless of the weather in my low gravelly
garden, with dense groundcover of sweet williams and sedum and whatever
else likes it here as 'mulch', that can stay in one place for 10 yrs
without being dug.  I prefer the "waterfall" form of falls rather than
the newer horizontal ones, but I do like some ruffling.  And I prefer
not so much profusion of bloom on a single stalk. 

Linda Mann east Tennessee USA
trying to get the subject back on irises
reminder - PLEASE clip <replies> to only include enough of the previous
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