Re: Re: HYB: pollen, successes

In a message dated 5/4/2003 5:33:41 AM Mountain Daylight Time, 
lmann@volfirst.net writes:


> Tom Parkhill would say no - the more humidity, the better, as long as
> temperatures are not too high.  Which means less total moisture in the
> air?  Would that matter more than relative humidity?

An interesting question....

True -- if the absolute humidity is constant, relative humidity drops as 
temperature rises.  

Southern NM is hardly typical hybridizing country.  Our RH has been hovering 
about 10% lately.  Even though I run the humidifier in the house 'round the 
clock, it has been days since the hygrometer [located about 5 feet away] has 
registered as high as 25%.  Even that is classified as too dry for human 
comfort, and I discovered long ago that when the air is so dry that I'm 
miserable it's really a waste of time, effort, and pollen to make any crosses.

Here, higher humidity is definitely advantageous.  I'd close the kit and make 
a run for the house if hit by a surprise shower, but otherwise the more humid 
the better!  I have a lot of experience with hybridizing under adverse 
conditions due to low humidity, but have wondered about the other end of the 
continuum. 

Environmental conditions are just one aspect.  Timing is another, and earlier 
discussions have revealed that in cooler, more humid climates the window of 
receptivity is longer.  Do the flowers also open on a different timetable in 
different climates?

Ah, well....  If the world of hybridizing were simple, it wouldn't be nearly 
so much fun!

Sharon McAllister

---------------------------------------------------------------------
To sign-off this list, send email to majordomo@hort.net with the
message text UNSUBSCRIBE IRIS
Other Mailing lists | Author Index | Date Index | Subject Index | Thread Index