Over the past few years, I have come to respect and admire the work of the iris Hybridizers on a whole new level. I spent two years trying to make a few crosses just to see if I could make them work, with very little luck. Then I veiwed a video on U-tube showing how to do it, and I learned what I needed to change. Last summer was the first time I had any luck at all getting some crosses to take. I ended up with 10 crosses that produced seeds. Out of these, 8 of the crosses produced seedlings. Some in mass quantity, and some with only one or two germinating. This year I made nearly 100 crosses, and so far have about 25 seed pods that I can confirm. Some of the crosses were made as recently as yesterday. Now it seems that some of these have rotted off during this insane wet spell we are having. I put the pod inside, and can hope it is mature enough to complete the seed development process. What I haven't even witnessed yet, is to have the seedling mature and bloom and find maybe one out of a thousand that might be worth keeping. HMMMM. I think this experience will incourage me to make sure that I buy most of my irises from the people who Hybridize them. Even if it cost's more, I think that they diserve the rewards for their efforts. Believe me, I don't consider my self a Hybridizer, I'm just dabbleing. I think if more people went through this process and felt how discourageing it is to to see your efforts rot off, or not produce seeds, or the seeds not germinate, you would for sure understand the efforts of these people who year after year stive to improve the iris. To all you real iris Hybridizers, I say I am sure there are many challenges that I haven't even witnessed yet. You have my greatest respect!

Well said.........

Ditto ! Except for "trades", bonus iris, and those who's Hybridizer is now working in that Great Garden in the sky (which you all know are my most favorites!), I always by from the originator, if possible. To me it's a slap in the face to, for example, buy a Tasco iris from Blue J, and not buy it from Superstition!....Arlyn

Good points, all. The only problem is that once an Iris is *out there* -- if you are going to order an assortment, you'd be ordering one each from say ten different hybridizers -- and paying ten shipping fees for one Iris each. Which isn't practical. Shipping is expensive -- so I try to find a company who has *most* of what I'm interested in, and place my order with them. Some years it's Schreiners. This year it's MidAmerica. I've ordered from Napa, Aitken's, Snowpeak, Beaumont Ridge, and others. I guess, in time, each of them get their own cultivars sold, and it probably balances out.

However -- for newer varieties, I totally agree.

MaryAnn, if there were ever any doubts about my LACK of sanity ...I ordered from 13 commercial growers this year, 2 "fund raisers" , and 6 "trades, or postage"deals. But I do agree with you on shipping costs.. ..that's why I never buy just ONE iris..it's "cheaper' in the long run to buy several, from each place ...Arlyn

You are in a class by yourself, Arlyn -- that's for sure!!

And yes -- I have also used the *shipping is too expensive for just one or two Irises* excuse to order more Irises than I needed. I think that's how I got to order so many from Mid-America this year. That -- AND that beautiful Dare Me bonus Iris tempting me to bump my order up to over $80.00. Of course -- that was way before I realized that Iris Lane was toast!!

Speaking of which -- I think I have found my solution. I've got some pictures that I'll share later.

Hybridizing is a science, an art and requires something special thrown in. We all know someone who can take a slip or cutting of a plant and just stick it in the ground and it grows and blooms in record setting time. We say that person has a green thumb. Well, I don't know what you would say about a person who just seems to know the right time and the right cultivars to cross and then has the knack for getting the seeds to grow into an abundant amount of irises. Occasionally, I read about a person who dabbled for a long time and only grew one iris in their years of trying that actually made it to the market and then there are the hybridizers who have introductions a lot more frequently and will leave an iris legacy. Also, unlike me, they have the discerning eye that tells them what is marketable and what is not and can cull out and compost perfectly beautiful irises in order to further their goals. For my part, I have a lot of respect for anyone who can make a flower as enchanting as an iris..... from pollination to the finished project..... I think there is magic involved.

!!!!!!!

crowrita1 said:Ditto ! Except for "trades", bonus iris, and those who's Hybridizer is now working in that Great Garden in the sky (which you all know are my most favorites!), I always by from the originator, if possible. To me it's a slap in the face to, for example, buy a Tasco iris from Blue J, and not buy it from Superstition!....Arlyn

I think most hybridizers are glad to see their irises going out to general commerce; they can use the space for their burgeoning new creations!

I'm sure they are happy to see that any of their "babies" is so popular that "everyone" is selling it! But how happy are they about not getting any of the money the sales generate?.....Arlyn

I am named after the great botanist, Linnaeus. I have to try hybridizing. It is inherent to the name.....gotta, just gotta.

As a minimum you will have to obtain all the varieties with his name connected to them!

crowrita1 said:I'm sure they are happy to see that any of their "babies" is so popular that "everyone" is selling it! But how happy are they about not getting any of the money the sales generate?.....Arlyn

Here is a concern: I have been about to order a special DL from the hybridizer, only to see with dismay, "Sold Out". If other sources aren't growing and selling it you will be very disappointed !

I know what you mean, I've been wanting the iris "All Smiles", and can't find any vendor who has it. It's a Sutton iris, and since they have moved the business to Idaho, they aren't offering it for sale yet this year. Maybe next year.

I know the feeling also Caitlin. There are a couple of daylilies and iris's that have been recently released that I have been looking for also. I then think of an old saying...." good things come to those who wait."