Re: Re: REB: leaf blades per fan

I did go out and check more today.  Counting green and dead, Double Shot
ranged from 12-15.
Queen Dorothy had 12.  Bountiful Harvest was at 12 as well.

I have reservations about leaf count as an indicator of the quality of a
rebloomer as a parent.  This is based on the fact that while Rosalie Figge may
require more leaf production- she regularly pulls it off here (spring, well
not always.... but I have yet to have a fall without at least one stalk of
Rosalie Figge)  Double Shot too has been very reliable.  I wonder if the need
for the larger trigger size of RF and DS has anything to do with their
height.  They both bloom on substantially taller fall stalks here than most
rebloomers.  Both increase rapidly here as well.

With any luck Violet Miracle and Earl of Essex may rebloom this year so I can
check leaf counts.  They are statistically among the best parents for rebloom
in colder zones. 

Cooler nights appear to be the strongest indicator of rebloom here.  Even with
Immortality, we get very little rebloom in summer.  Nights generally are not
cool enough until late August here.  Mike Lockatell has commented to me that
soil temperatures may be related and equally important as night temps.  This
does make sense.

I also wonder if the span of time that the irises are forced into dormancy by
high temps/drought doesn't also have a significant effect.

But until we figure it out - I do watch for new stalks with great enthusiasm
every day!

Robin Shadlow
zone 5 NE

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