Re: SAGE CROSSES

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Thanks Chris,

 

Well, lets hope so.  However as I am sure you know, most seedlings will never see the light of day past the compost pile.

 

I personally am much more critical of Space-Age irises than most, I believe.  Most of the people I have met that love Space-Age irises like them simply because they have appendages, and nothing more than maybe color, or scent seems to be important to them.  Now that is perfectly fine, mind you.  I have no problems with that.  People like what they like!

 

What I like to see in addition to color, branching, bud count, etc....is modern FORM! 

 

It is my observation that many a Space-Age iris have narrow hafts and or pinchy falls. I have attached a picture of an example.  See how narrow the haft area is? Even though they have some fabulous appendages, that is not good enough for me.  I feel appendages should only enhance a modern-formed flower, not be the deciding factor in whether or not they are to be introduced. If a flower like the one attached did not have those fantastic flounces, I doubt it would have ever been looked at twice! Furthermore, if appendages do not enhance the flower form, I don't care for them at all.

 

Because of this, there may be even fewer seedlings that make the cut than what others may think.  I hope these words do not come back to bite me on the backside one of these days, but it is how I feel TODAY.  Of course, there are exceptions to everything. 

 

Patrick Orr

Phoenix, AZ  zone 9

USA