Re: Double iris-a plea for circumspection
- To: Multiple recipients of list <i*@rt66.com>
- Subject: Re: Double iris-a plea for circumspection
- From: "* A* M* <w*@Ra.MsState.Edu>
- Date: Mon, 6 Oct 1997 14:01:43 -0600 (MDT)
On Mon, 6 Oct 1997 Henryanner@aol.com wrote:
> Walter Moores, who knows far better than I about the intricasies of
> hybridizing bearded irises, cautioned us thus:
>
> << I wouldn't necessarily chunk an oddity like this for it may lead to
> something better and decidedly different on down the road. If Lloyd Austin
> had chunked the first iris he noted with a spear at the tip of the beard, we
> might not have the horned and flounced varieties of today. There must be a
> lot of people (judges included) out there who favor such adornments as what
> Lloyd gave us for we now have a Dykes medalist that is so adorned. Could be
> that next year, there will be another. Now the truly creative hybridizer
> ..should cross FH with a flat type iris such as SIX PACK to see what
> variations in form are produced. >>
>
> Sounds really interesting. With all respect to those who dissent, I think it
> behooves us to be more circumspect about what we dismiss in the abstract when
> we are talking about a rich gene pool so capable of producing a variety of
> forms, colors, sizes and textures. Many of the aspects of the bearded iris we
> have come to appreciate--ruffling, lacing, flared falls, greater substance,
> quiet hafts, remarkable beards, and color breaking have been born not only
> from planned crosses and deliberate manipulations, but from a spirit of
> curiosity and creative experiment.
>
> I enjoy variety in irises, although I don't usually like freakish things, and
> it seems to me that it would be important to perpetuate--not compost--
> breakthroughs for those who might like them and for hybridizers who might
> want to perfect their own pursuits using all available genetic material.
>
> Anner Whitehead, Richmond, VA
> Henry Hall henryanner@aol.com
>
Anner, thanks for picking up on the thread where I so miserably
failed. You added eloquence and brilliance to my bare-bones plea.
Walter Moores
Enid Lake, MS 7/8
