Re:HYB: Bud Count Question

Hi Bob,

This has been a learning experience for me this year too.  I have a bunch of
seedlings that are blooming for the first time and are only one year old since
germination.

I have been questioning people I know on that same subject, and the consensus
is that yes, the bud count can and does often increase the second and third
years as the plant matures.  Often times a maiden bloom stalk that produces 6
buds may increase to 8 or so the following years, provided it is give the same
care.

I was told that you could achieve representative bud count on first year
seedlings if they are grown really well.  I have one stalk that produced a
flower I felt was exceptional, but the stalk had a low bud count.  I was
thinking it would increase next year, but then the seedling planted right next
to it produced a stalk with 7 buds.  Because of this I do not feel the low bud
count on the first one will increase much over the next couple years because
it has been grown the very best it can be, but we shall see.

I have another seedling blooming right now that has a bud count of 9.  I
thought that to be extra special for my garden in my heat, but then I noticed
there is not one single increase on the plant, so it is putting all its energy
into this one bloom stalk and thus that is probably why the bud count is so
high. If the energy were distributed between a bloom stalk and producing
increases, the bud count would probably be down.

Patrick Orr
Phoenix, AZ  Zone 9
USA
  ----- Original Message -----
  From: The Benbows<b*@yhti.net>
  To: iris@hort.net<i*@hort.net>
  Sent: Monday, May 30, 2005 11:18 AM
  Subject: [iris] HYB: Bud Count Question


  Good Afternoon,



  I have a question about bud count. Can bud count increase as the plant
  becomes better established? I know with daylilies you won't often know the
  true average bud count on a new seedling until the plant has become
  established for at least three years. Do Iris seedling do the same or is
  what appears on its maiden bloom it? Is it known if the pod parent or
pollen
  parent influences bud count?



  Thank You



  Hot and dry here in south central Missouri.





  Bob Benbow Camdenton Mo. Zone 5

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