TB's "Natural Habitat"

As we don't seem to have many species aficionados on the list, it looks like
it's up to me to chime in -- with apologies to the detail-oriented experts and
an acknowledgment that I'm over-simplifying this!  (If you want to know more,
just consult a detailed climatary atlas.)  

In North America, only  the coastal area west of the Cascade mountains
(extending from Northern California, through Oregon and Washington, into
southern British Columbia) provides a habitat similar to that of the native
lands of the TBs' northern ancestral species.   

In North America, only a few parts of the Southwest provide a climate similar to
that of the native lands of the TBs' southern ancestral species like I.
mesopotamica.  

Practically speaking, this means that the rest of the continent is a testing
ground.  Of course, modern TBs are not species but the product of generations of
breeding.  Some are relatively cold-tolerant  and moisture-loving like their
northern ancestors.  Some are relatively heat-tolerant and drought-resistant
like their southern ancestors.  Some combine the strengths of both types. Some
don't.  

Those of us in "TB-challenged" areas who like to try new varieties from
TB-friendly areas thus face a hard choice:  either adapt local conditions to
meet their needs, or accept losses of those that don't adapt. 

It's much easier, of course, to collect varieties of local or regional
hybridizers -- they are already acclimated.  
But whoever knew an irisarian who'd take the easy way out?


Sharon McAllister (7372.1745@compuserve.com)
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