"Breeding Goals"

Here is an interesting reprint from Bulletin #185, Apr. '67.
 
A Hybridizer's Views
Maynard Knopf
 
When I decided to enter the field of breeding irises I felt that hte first thing to do was to form a plan.  Wehn I asked myself the question, "What are the most important goals to work toward?"  I resoned that they should be 1. substance, 2. personality and 3. growing habits.  I beleive that these threee, along with the ramifications of each, cover my entire aim in the breeding of irises.
 
It has been said that what the mind can conceive is within the realm of achievement.  This theory seems to work out very well in practice.
 
Let us now develop the theme of substance.  Inca Chief X Spanish Peaks produced Mission Trails plus several seedlings with very heavy substance, grood growing habits and strong well-branched stalks.  In outcrossing, selfing and sib crossing, I found that Mission Trails and its sibs had the ability to carry their substance to their offspring.  Also, I could go in any direction I desired.  To illustrate, a sib to Mission Trails X Glittering Amber produced Denver Mint, a good clear yellow.  Then Mission Trails X White Bouquet gave us Beauty Queen, a pure white.  As I have proceeded with this line of breeding, each generation seems to pick up more substance.
 
At this point I wanted even more personality.  This raised the problem of how to get more intense ruffling, brighter color, newer design and more resistance to fading.  I figured that introducing lace factors might just do the trick, so I used pollen from Queen's Lace extensively; and to my joy, instead of lace, I got that deep ruffling I so desired.
 
Another approach was to use onco blood.  This has given surprising results, especially in the setting of color and in bringing new coloring into being.
 
Now the third point was growing habits.  I believe this all important and self-explanatory.  No matter how pretty a flower may be, if it will not grow satisfactorily, it surely must be useless.
 
It must be remembered that in order to improve our irises, we must be very particular in the selection of breeding stock, using only the finest we can select.  Also, I feel that we must remember that no matter how good a flower seems to be, it can be better.  We must dream of new things and new color combinations; and then work hard to accomplish these dreams.
 
I would like to close by trying to envision what he wants to accomplish.  Be very selective in the irises you keep to work with.  Don't become discouraged, if the results are not coming as fast as expected.
 
This hybridizing is a wonderful life.  Live it to the utmost.
 
What wonderful information is tucked away in those old bulletins!!!!!  Enjoy.

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Gary D. Sides   Nashville, TN  USDA 6/7   i*@mindspring.com
Bearded Iris Rebloom is Up and Coming!  Get some today!
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