HYB: Good Irises-Chad's Criteria

Chad, dreaming about good plants, said:

<<Offsets are produced regularly, and spaced well
Rhizomes do not overproduce offsets to the point of crowding
Leaves are straight and do not twist or "crinkle", including
those on bloomstalks.
Leaves remain attractive during non-bloom periods with some grooming.
Tolerance to light shade
Iris do not require regular chemical fertilization to perform well
Iris should not require regular spraying for fungal diseases 
when grown under reasonable conditions.>>

You know. This doesn't sound like a lot to ask in an iris, really. It sounds
like Chad is using one of his three genie wishes just to ask for a Hershey
Bar. But he is right. We cannot always count on these simple things. We've
found repeatedly by polling the list that cultivar performance varies all
across the country and world for many reasons. Many times climate, soil, and
human error are a determining factor. But sometimes it sounds like it is just
the plant itself. What Chad is asking for is for hybridizers to offer good
stong plants that respond to competent but not compulsive care. And he wants
some lovely ruffles and so forth. 

I'm with Chad on this. I'm a good gardener and and the way I'm heading now
they either cut the mustard or they are out of here. I'm not getting any
younger waiting for some plants to condescend to thrive and I'm not turning
this place into a toxic waste dump or an infirmary.

Anner Whitehead, Richmond,VA
Henry Hall henryanner@aol.com
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