Re: Re: HYB: backcrosses, etc...

Margie,
part of the fun, indeed, is jumping in not knowing what you will end up with using certain iris in experiments. I would guess that no matter what colors one works with there is always that one that makes you scratch your head in wonderment asking yourself."how'd that one get in there?!?". And hopefully the recessive gene you may encounter is not a ''bad gene''. We all know there are way too many of those... The other angle, for me, is plain old curiousity as well. True, there may be ''x number'' of better or improved iris, in one way or another, but they did receive their genes from someone somewhere along the line. Maybe I'll end up proving my thoughts and wishes wrong, but I tend to agree with you, Margie, in that there are some hidden or undiscovered traits or genes worth seeking out in the older historic iris that will actually be a positive factor and not a set back in my ''ideal iris''.
Now the trick for inexperienced me is to locate which iris are more healthy or vigorous. How far back I should (or dare) go back so as to get a lesser dilluted, genetically, iris. Heck, I. pallida? since that one is the ancestor of many of the older iris I've searched pedigrees on? I. variegata? florentine? mesopotamieae? Hmmm.... the options are nearly endless. I realize that crossing with iris that dated may end up with unwanted features as well... oh well, who knows? 
No need to write a novel, is there? I'll save that for when I discover something new to share with the iris world... :)
Steve Mahlberg Zone 4b Duluth, MN 
 
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 iris85737 <IrisLady@comcast.net> wrote:Hi Steve, 

I'm not a pro at this, but here is what I've learned so far:

I (myself) use some of the older(70-90's)tall bearded iris to cross 
with some of the newer varieties.  My reasons are as such: 

1.) Many of the newer iris (as gorgeous and lavish as they are) lack 
vigor and health, and out-crossing it with a vigourous healthy 
variety can bring healthier seedlings.
2.) The gene pool is so vast now - - that when you cross the older 
iris with the newer ones - - you can easily come up with some mighty 
nice varieties/patterns.  And if you crossback a child to one of it's 
parents, or self cross, or cross siblings - - you can bring out 
recesive genes.   Then work to improve those newly found traits by 
crossing out to other healthy/vigourous iris and then back. 
3.) I for one, am a true believer that there are some 
hidden/undiscovered traits/genes in the older varieties - just 
waiting for someone to find them. 

You are wise to find out all you can, but also.......... don't be 
afraid to jump in and have some fun. You'll love the excitement with 
each and every seedling that blooms.  

Margie V.
Oro Valley, AZ.
zone 8/9
Irislady@comcast.net


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