New member with question about variegated Iris cristata
Kelly Irvin (Mon, 09 Apr 2007 07:39:38 PDT)

Hi, Karen, and welcome to the list. I thought I would just make a few
comments as long as you understand I'm not all that knowledgeable in the
area of mutation whether localized or on a cellular level. My purpose
here would be more to relate to you an experience I had last season with
one of my Hemerocallis clumps.

Last season, one of my daylily fans was pushing up variegated leaves,
yellow and green. It was not a completely uniform variegation across the
leaf, but it existed from tip to base and on more than one leaf. I
decided to separate it from the clump and potted it. I included some
slow release fertilizer and nurtured it through the season. Well, by the
end of the season, the same fan was putting up new, totally green,
totally normal, leaves.

I have drawn a conclusion, however incorrect it may be, that the
variegation could have somehow been a reflection based on mechanical
damage, nutritional issues, or, worse, virus.

I would guess, with Iris, you could easily isolate the clump that is
producing the variegation. From that, you could gain a greater
confidence in its stability, because it will be in a different location,
maybe it will get fresh nutritional requirements, and most importantly,
it will be easier for you to study the new growth from different growing
points that originate from that same area of tissue.

Mr. Kelly M. Irvin
10850 Hodge Ln
Gravette, AR 72736
USA
479-787-9958
USDA Cold Hardiness Zone 6a/b

mailto:kelly@irvincentral.com
http://www.irvincentral.com/

Karen E Welty-wolf wrote: