Iris and some Irids 2010

[Regelian]

Peter,

of course I would love to get a hold of a piece.  This is a key direction in breeding for me.  I have been collecting smaller species of Iris to work with, but I really need to work with tetraploids (amphidiploids, etc.).  Many of the SDB hybrids are partly derived from I. chamaeiris, which tends to make them useless for hybridizing with arils and arilbreds.  I just did a chromosome count on a bunch of unknow species seedlings I sprouted this Spring, and they look to be all I. attica, so it's back to the drawing board.  As I didn't get the best resolution on the count, I will re-do it, but visually the difference between 16 and 32 chromosomes is pretty big, therefore no high hopes.

Other species I am collecting are I. aphylla, I. pumila (complex) and I. schachtii.  I want to create a race based on regeliapumilas, as I prefer smaller, compact plants.

In any case, try to remember me during division season.  I may have something you want, as well.

Jamie

[Regelian]

Wow, Chris,
your Vera-Olivia looks great.  I've found all these 'sisters' to be great garden plants.

[Lesley Cox]

Peter and Jamie, thanks for that information Not more than I wanted to hear but probably more than I need since I'm not attempting to breed irises of any kind. All the same, it's very interesting so I'm happy to be lectured.

[Michael J Campbell]

Iris hylorid

[Lesley Cox]

That's a colourful one Michael. In a year or two it will be a great clump.

[ruweiss]

Now flowering in the garden:

Iris Gingerbread Man.jpg
Iris Ultimate.jpg
Iris Penny Candy.jpg
Iris Sass with Class.jpg
Iris reichenbachii purple.jpg
Iris japonica.jpg

[Hans A.]

Wonderful coloured Iris reichenbachii, Rudi!
Do you grow Iris japonica with protection in winter?

[PeterT]

Lovely I japonica, I dont do well with it here is a picture of an evansia cross, I "wittii x wattii",  which was at the Iris show a week ago

[ruweiss]

Peter,
thank you for showing this beautiful and interesting Iris cross, I have never heard about it before.
Hans,
I grow Iris japonica without any protection in a sheltered place near the house in company with a
big bamboo plant.

[Lesley Cox]

Iris wattii x I. wattii is, of course, just Iris wattii. Maybe a selected form?

[PeterT]

Iris wattii x I. wattii is, of course, just Iris wattii. Maybe a selected form?

The cross is Iris wattii x I wittii lesley  two different plants allied to Iris confusa which is aptly named!

[Lesley Cox]

Iris wittii? Never heard of it. Sorry, my mistake.

[Lesley Cox]

The Google references are sparse at best. Can you give a reference for a botanical description please?

[PeterT]

Hello Lesley,
 Iris of China by James Waddick and Zhao Yu-tang should cover it but I find it an awkward referance book to look up, due to multiple index listings and cross referances.
A guide to Species Irises by the British Iris Society Species Group is much easier.
Iris wittii was Introduced as a posiable new form of confusa but aparently given specific rank. I did not see wittii in the index of Iris of China when I had a quick look.

[Lesley Cox]

No, it's not in 'Iris of China' and someone else had my "Guide to..."