Re: REB: HYB: rebloom breeding
iris@hort.net
  • Subject: Re: REB: HYB: rebloom breeding
  • From: L* M* <1*@rewrite.hort.net>
  • Date: Wed, 26 Nov 2014 09:39:32 -0500
Whether using those wimpy (ummm, 'unsuitable') irises in our more difficult growing conditions adds anything or not, that wasn't my question.
You have said several times that "those" crosses have been repeatedly tried with no success. What was crossed and what kind of climate? I'm just curious to know more about what breeding experiments of others led you to say it doesn't work? 

And what about the Byers rebloomers?
My developing theory is that some (who knows which ones) of those dry climate zone 8 & 9 rebloomers have genes that are appropriate early? rebloom genes for colder and/or wetter climates, but just aren't combined/selected for tolerating the other stresses that are present in colder/hot-wet. In other words, some of them (may) have the right rebloom genetics, but don't thrive outside of their home selection conditions. 

It would explain the Byers rebloomers and some others.
As for adding anything, if some of these dry climate zone 8/9 rebloomers carry summer rebloom genes <plus> modern form, it seems like that definitely would be a useful addition to what's currently available. 

i.e., Tea Leaves mixed with Treasured and Imm.
So few reliable & strong summer bloomers this far southeast to work with, any additional new 'blood' seems like it would be helpful.
Some crosses of dry summer zone 8/9 sporadic rebloomers produce plenty of healthy first generation seedlings here, and even the really weak ones usually produce a few decent survivors, if I get enough seeds. Crossing those back onto something more adapted usually gives a very high percentage of healthy, well adapted survivors. Here.
~100 different rebloom seedlings this fall, ~40 'early'. I haven't gone through yet to see how many of which ones have dry summer/zone 8/9/sporadic elsewhere rebloom genes & how many are strictly from "cold hardy" bloodlines. 

Linda Mann east TN USA zone 7b

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