Re: CULT: Trashing Irises
- Subject: Re: CULT: Trashing Irises
- From: n*@charter.net
- Date: Sun, 13 May 2001 23:10:10 -0000
--- In iris-talk@y..., "merle & linda roberts" <irisbuff@t...> wrote:
"I can assure you that all successful hybridizers trash iris. It's
the dark side of hybridizing that we don't always talk about with all
iris lovers. This year's iris seedlings 99.9% will be gone in 5
years. 90% of the newer stuff that I buy will be gone also"
I have very limited space that's fit for good iris growing and want
to use as much of that space as possible for seedlings. Like the
Roberts above and Walter Moores I may not keep something around if it
doesn't fit my breeding objectives,--or even if it does, if it
doesn't have some compelling reason to give it space. Branching, bud
count, decent growing character, reputation (on Iris-Talk comments on
problematic behavior in Texas or Wisconsin or Winnepeg get noted!)--
all these matter to me.
Walter Moore's objectives and taste don't lean him toward FOGBOUND.
Mine do. I'm lining mine out for max increase. The texture,
branching, plant habit, pastel-pink beard that is almost white--
please me very much, and I'm spreading Foggy's pollen around wherever
I can find a fit recipient. I particularly like WISHFUL THINKING
also. Both of them may contribute some interesting genetics toward
bicolor breeding--those creamy or pale pink (pale to vanishing?)
hafts suggest c-amoena potential (Pinnacle pattern--whatever you call
it).
The Roberts' "99.9%" and "90%" figures may be conservative even. Not
many of anybody's seedlings--or of the newest-on-the-market items--
look so good stacked up beside the best of the best. Who wants to
give space and time to less? After all, we're all in this for the
fun and the joy of growing irises. The better the iris, the greater
the joy.
Neil Mogensen zone 7a, near Asheville, NC
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