So sorry, Jan.

Paul, looking forward to the photographs.

Paul Thanks I am hoping winter is kind this year and I will have lot's of pictures of my own to share. What Lived from the 2012 crosses is doing really well but because of the rot issues in them they all had to be dug and moved so hopefully get to see some bloom. From those crosses in 2012 looking forward to Terracota Bay x Class Ring also Terracotta Bay x Patchwork Puzzle. I am curious about Patchwork Puzzle really interesting pattern on that one wondering if it transfers to it's kids.

In 2013 I wanted to experiment with some of my favorites by combining them some have beautiful colors but lack branching and buds thought I would start by trying to improve some of them. Magical is a favorite of mine and everything about it is wonderful it grows really well here and the seedlings that Joe had from it were incredible so started working with it a lot. Hoping for a blend of colors with the Magical form, I have seedlings from it with Italian Master, My Beloved, Jealous Guy, Just Witchery, Candy Colours, Wicked Good, Electric Candy, Tuscan Summer.

I am also working on Oranges with ruffles not quite sure what to expect here I am sure will be a long process but a few I am excited about to see in the spring are.
Enjoyment x All My Dreams
Amber essence x My Beloved
All My Dreams x Fixation

One of my favorite plants from 2013 at home was Just Witchery the Ruffles unfortunately I lost it this spring and could not find it for sale anywhere. I got it to set 3 pods when it bloomed with My Beloved, Magical, Head Over Heels, and got pollen to take from it on Ride The Waves. I have a hundred or so seedlings from it and hoping something in there is a winner

Every one wanted Just Witchery at our auction in August. Have heard that Ghio has called My Beloved a goof parent.

Tom I hope you get to come by this spring too should be something different in the seedling patches. I have now filled all the holes from this spring and the plants look great going into fall we have still not had the killing frost so they are growing and increasing like crazy right now along with the weeds I am starting to work on the yard getting a break from the storms and want to get grass seed down we really tore the yard up this year moving dirt around with skid loaders so hopefully it looks a little better in May. I am hoping we can go see the King in Illinois in the spring 500 varieties will be awesome

Tom I think every-year the goals may change at least for me I still want to come out side in the spring and find something different that I have never seen before that is the exciting part of Hybridizing for me. I am planning on working Plicata's a lot more in the coming years after visiting Kieth's this year and looking at his work I am convinced there is some amazing patterns to come from them.

I'm so glad y'all are on ATP and are discussing these things on this thread. I have no intention of doing any hybridizing myself -- but it sure is exciting reading about your crosses and what you hope will develop!!

Paul -- I'm so sorry that you've been dealing with problems. Assume that they're in addition to the loss of your wife -- and I'm hoping they're not serious health issues. We'll be right here anytime that you feel like participating -- and you've got a whole team of people wishing the very best for you.

If anyone is new here or hasn't done so you can look at past threads on the iris forum....some 2 and three years ago. I have a number of seedling pictures posted there. It is something to do when things are slow here or during the winter.....

I have seen the photos of your seedlings Paul and they are better than most of what I see in vendors catalogs. I remember you posting that you 'cross the best with the best' and it sure shows.

I agree with Mary Ann, I am not a hybridizer but I love hearing hybridizing plans and why people make the selections for the crosses that they make. I am looking forward to the photos of your iris creations Brad.

I hope someone makes a turquoise iris soon.

Thanks Bonnie...I don't deserve to be called a hybridizer......I just tinker.........IMHO every one here who loves iris should make at least one cross next spring and raise the seedlings to give you a feel for what the big boys do. There used to be several top level woman hybridizers, Melba Hamblen, Opal Brown, the Sextons, Mary Dunn and several others. We still have a few but there is room for more.

You judge your own iris creations too severely, Paul. If you could put your irises in a show where all the entries had no information by which to identify them, except a number, you would be surprised how well your irises would rate against the creations of the professional hybridizers. And.... unlike the professionals you have patience with us. smiles

Paul with Bonnie.

One of my goals is to create a nice pink, not a self, but one with something going on and it has to be nice and ruffly. I want it in honor of my Grandmother who was so smitten by the pinks when they first came out. She saved money for a long time to be able to buy one, and I remember how proud she was of it. I'd like to name one after her. I also would like to create something like Cold Fushion in orange and purple. I think that would be cool. We'll have to see how that all turns out. The first year's crosses I made were just to see if I could make it happen. I hadn't set any real goals to achieve with them other then to see if I could make it work. This year's crosses were more focused. Now I just have to get them to germinate and all will be good!

Brad, I think Patchwork Puzzle is a very nice iris. I got it this year. Wicked Good is another really nice one. I have a seedling Wicked Good X Pageant's Gown from last year, Yes, just one seed germinated out of the 6 seeds in the pod. It's doing great and has several increases.

Jan, when you least expect it your seeds will show up. I'm hoping for you!

Thanks, Tom!

Paul - I'm fairly new here, but it's easy to see how much people respect you and
your hybridizing. Looking forward to your new creations.


I got a bonus iris from Joe Ghio with my last order. Written on the leaves was "Magic".
Do you suppose it's his "Magical"?

Tom, I hope you get that special pink, if not this year then next. I think it would be wonderful to have an iris named after you. Your grandmother would be so proud of what you have already created... I know it!

Ben Hager introduced an iris in 1987 named Magic. Magical is a Ghio iris.

Thanks, Paul. I haven't yet found a pic of "Magic" and wondered if one existed!

Jan....if you look on the AIS Iris encyclopedia there are 4 pictures. The unfortunate thing is, as often happens, the pictures are each some what different.

Tom I like Cold Fusion too really neat pattern on that one will be interesting to see what the plants look like from it in the coming years. I have about 25 seedlings from last year with it and Serena Louisa I am curious to see if it throws the pattern to it's kids. I like Pinks a lot as well and there are some really good ones coming down the line. They keep improving them by adding different colored beards and adding more Ruffles you will have a lot of fun stuff to chose from in the coming years for your project for Grandma.

Jan he had another one a few years ago called Magic Act beautiful pink and white it may be that one he sent when it blooms we can help ID it. I hope you find your seeds it's nice to have a winter project they give me something to look forward to. If they don't show up and you want to try to grow some send me a Tree Mail with your address I have some I can share.

Bonnie Thanks a turquoise would be awesome I didn't see anything even close to that color but every year something new and exciting pops up hopefully we see that color someday. The fire engine red was thought impossible but they keep getting closer.

Paul I am excited about the My Beloved seedlings I have growing, it was another one I used quite a bit last year and it seems to produce some good looking plants everything that has been introduced from it has been really nice hopefully I can add some other colors to it and keep the Ghio form. I also have enjoyed looking at your seedlings over the years and your picture threads hope you do decide to make some crosses this spring.

Mary Ann I think I need to send you some seeds as well at the very least we need to convince you that this spring is the year to cross a couple of your favorites together to see what happens it really is a fun process and besides there is nothing wrong with a little winter project Wouldn't it be fun to come outside in the morning in the spring and find something that looked like these.

janwax said:Thanks, Tom!

I got a bonus iris from Joe Ghio with my last order. Written on the leaves was "Magic".
Do you suppose it's his "Magical"?

Might also be Tall Bearded Iris (Iris 'Magic Act') or Tall Bearded Iris (Iris 'Magic Happens')