Brad, this thread of yours has completely re-arranged my thinking. Normally at this time of year I'm anxiously waiting to push the go button on the iris I'm buying for the year. As a result of your seedlings, I'm not going to buy any.
My context is that I have both limited space and a limited income. If I have to evict something, then I want it to be for Blueberry Shortcake and Tropical Vibes and others as yet unnamed that come down the line.
I'm planting around 200 seeds this year. If even half of them come up I'm going to have a hell of a time figuring out where to put them. But I've got the bug, now that I went through my first year and something actually came up. People have posted seedlings they created over the years and it's very exciting to see just everyday folks like us on the iris forum making seedlings, but by the same token, until yours I have never seen something from a member that would make me ask the question, "Should I get the Keppel or the Collins?" You have reached THE level and I am as thrilled as hell for you. It is always so inspiring to see genius emerge. Genius of course always requires a lot of work, as well as a gift and a passion. After some of your pix I was so excited I basically forgot to eat for a couple of days. This is really the greatest. Since you don't know me, my highest complement to a work of art (and I consider these iris works of art) is to be inspired to also make art.
The two intros of your I mentioned were a simple first generation cross, as are many of my favorite iris. Maybe I will get lucky. I'll never be able to introduce iris because I have no land to grow things out, but I can enjoy them if some turn out well and share them with my friends.
The truth is that every iris you have posted here is as nice as anything out there, and nicer than many. In my comments on this thread, I've focused on the unique ones, because you are doing commercial intros so you I presume want something different enough from what's already out there to inspire someone to buy it when they already have a bazillion iris. But I want to be sure you know that in all these pics I haven't seen a one that isn't first class (and am mindful of all the hundreds/thousands you have discarded over the years, as I see you've been at this for at least a decade.)
Below is an iris that I planted this year, so I have not seen it bloom, but because it is red I thought I'd bring it to your attention in case it interests you
