Re: OT-CHAT: Why grow new irises?
From: "Mark, Maureen" <MARKM@tc.gc.ca>
Hi Jim
This is certainly a good question for discussion and I must say that
pondered on how to respond. So I am going to give you a few responses.
One, there is consumer demand. There is always a group of consumers who buy
the newest -- often equating it with being the best. Consumers' taste also
change with time. Pink amoenas were the rage in one period. Blacks are
very popular now and spaceagers and broken colours are becoming popular.
And don't forget, consumers like variety.
Two, don't forget older varieties were new at some point. These were tested
over time. Successful varieties get wider distribution and thus remain on
the popularity polls for long periods of time. But if you review the polls
over 30 years, you will see shifts in the top 100 -- there are additions
and deletions every year. And if you look at each decade, you will also see
changes in the top 20, maybe even the top 10.
Three, we are human. We are always striving to make breakthroughs. Every
new iris supposedly has something that differentiates it from the hundreds
of others that are on the market. I would say that hybridizers are driven
to create some new and that it is up to us whether it makes the popularity
poll in 10 to 20 years.
For myself, I grow new irises because I like to see what's new and I like to
have something different for people to ooh and aah over. That being said, I
also grow some historics because I can get people to drool over them too.
Maureen Mark
m*@ottawa.com
Ottawa, Canada (zone 4)
> From: jon neilsen <oneil15@juno.com>
>
> WHY are older variety of IRIS usually always TOP award winners
> in polls and shows? I find it interesting since 100's of new variety are
> introduced every year! Perhaps I am missing something , but it is like,
> why rock the boat...buy older variety and don't waste your money on
> something new.
>
> JIM ONEIL
> KC>MO
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