Re: Re: Re: Sun and talkin' with pics(was Opal Brown intros)

In a message dated 2/29/2004 6:46:52 PM Central Standard Time, chris.darlington@sympatico.ca writes:


Where some of the irises literally wilted away in the sun
where the Daylilies held up strong.


The operative word is "some" and that word is relevant with both daylilies and irises. Daylilies too are subject to bacterial soft rot just not as bad. Also we now have rust that is more detrimental to them ascetically than leaf spot is to irises. Each plant group has its own set of problems and its own set advantages. I can tell you for sure the dabbin' of pollen on irises takes place at more comfortable temperatures.

Simplifying some, actually both have about the same economic value. The average new intro daylily is about $125 for a double fan. It's first year increase is approximately 1.73x. So, the following season you have about $216 worth of plants if all goes well.

New intro irises cost about $45. The average increase is approximately 5x. The following season you have $225 worth of plants if all goes well.

A tray of annuals cost about $12 but must be replaced each year. The present value of $12 a year for 40 years (my estimated useful gardening life) if money is worth 4 1/2% (average inflation rate) is $220. If all goes well.

Certainly this is an over simplification but its close enough from a practical standpoint. I like all of them.

My conclusion is that all plants cost the same amount to produce. It's the marketing of the excess that is difficult. <laughin'>

Hands down, data is more meaningful from the daylily group (AHS). Each member is provided a blank ballot and allowed to vote for up to 20 candidates of their choice. Most people vote fewer than 20. These votes are tabulated by region and the rankings published by region and also overall combined totals.

The AIS adopts a more elitist approach producing less data and skewed results that does not lend itself to meaningful analysis for decision making purposes. It does not involve the masses of it's membership in the data collection process for what ever reasons. It prefers instead to limit input to only a few of its members (judges) that have been taught to subscribe to a set of standards set by the judges themselves. The touted selections are not necessarily relevant to what appeals to it's membership or what garden markets want thus creating an artificial demand within a relatively small group that does not often endure the test of time over a broad climate range.

It is not uncommon for me to see on an iris order form the question "Are you an AIS judge?" I have never seen such a question on a daylily order form but it may have happened. Suppliers of both types of flowers provide bonuses with their orders. This is not an accusation, just an observation of one of the flaws in an evaluation system that increasing lends itself to being susceptible to being further distortion and undue influence by those that might seek advantage by doing so.

I am not a member of the judges group. I have received plants for evaluation from hybridizers for whom I have great respect. The difference perhaps is that my evaluations go directly to the hybridizer when they are detrimental and when they are good I share the performance publicly. I do not wish anything I say to retard the distribution of a plant to areas in which it might exhibit exceptional performance. Already too few irises perform over a wide range of climates. The distribution of the plant remains the prerogative of the hybridizer.

Even with my limited number of evaluations here, I invariably find myself facing a dilemma. It is unlikely judge's credentials could make one any more capable of unbiased evaluation. Ultimately such is a moral issue that is character based and guided by that which we all seek ... respect.

Forster better put the dilemma in perspective and did so in a more dramatic fashion:
If the time ever comes when I must choose between betraying my country or my friend, I hope I shall have the courage to betray my country. - E.M. Forster

Given human frailties it is doubtful the cliques in control of either group will surrender much of the advantage each holds over their respective masses. Realistically though it is likely the AIS may soon start compiling its biased votes by region to placate some of the squeaky wheels in both the general membership and the judge's group with as little change to the status quo as possible. If rules are changed it is most likely they will be changed in favor of the control group rather than the general membership. I know there to be at least some dissension within the present judge's group from its more enlightened members to do so. It is doubtful it will place much value on its general membership's input in the foreseeable future. So, while compilations will be a bit more useful they will continue to be statistically biased relative to the needs of the membership and garden markets.

Smiles,
Bill Burleson
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