HYB: using Tea Leaves for breeding
iris@hort.net
  • Subject: HYB: using Tea Leaves for breeding
  • From: L* M* <1*@rewrite.hort.net>
  • Date: Wed, 14 May 2014 09:55:30 -0400
Now that I have bloomed a few more first and second generation seedlings from Tea Leaves, I wanted to share a few observations.
Tea Leaves tends to be average height here, but stalks lean, even tho they aren't that tall and don't carry many blooms. Bloom size varies a lot depending on weather, but usually are fairly small. Few blooms, no branching to speak of, blooms up near the top of the stalk. It doesn't increase much, doesn't put up many stalks. I don't know whether any of those traits are my growing conditions or genetics. It does put up stalks and tries to bloom in hot weather, often unsuccessful if it's really hot and dry.
First generation seedlings have all been short relative to other TBs. Branching has been average or below average, & I haven't paid enough attention to know whether that seems to vary in relation to weather. I'm planning to dig and divide the 5 or so seedlings that have survived over the years (old crosses) now that I'm working hard to get rebloom. All of these have rebloomed at least once in hot weather. All have reasonably good substance, average width. One is a vigorous grower, & is the only one with mature seedlings so far.
Two seedlings from Tea Leaves X Golden Panther may have died over the past year - haven't found them yet. One was too tall, leaned, had a high bud count, but not well branched, good form.
2nd generation seedlings are all from one cross (so far): Final Episode X (Tea Leaves x Matrix). Final Episode is very short here, slow but regular increaser, erratic spring only bloomer. Nine? surviving seedlings are tall, too tall this year, one hits the ground as soon as blooms open, another hasn't in the past, but did this year. One has had good branching in the past, the others have had little or no branching. Wonderful width and substance.
3rd generation seedlings are maiden blooming this year - used as pods, with (IMM, Csong, Golden Apple, Crystal Glitters) X Gypsy Lord as pollen. Too tall! no branching. 

I'm starting to see a trend here.....
So this year, I'm trying to cross these tall branchless things onto some of the short IMM X this'n'that seedlings.
If any of you have experience with using Tea Leaves, let me know if you are seeing the same trend of too tall and little or no branching. I'm hoping this is just a coincidence of these particular crosses. 

Linda Mann east TN
where bloom is showing signs of winding down

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