Moraea MM 22-261

Seed parent: MM 18-340 (M. polystachya x bellendenii)

Pollen parent: MM 18-339 (polystachya x (lurida x villosa))

I have tried scores of times to cross M. polystachya with other Moraea species and hybrids. So far, the only cross that produced a definite hybrid was MM 12-52 (M. polystachya x speciosa). Most of the other crosses didn't produce seeds, but in about 20 cases they did. All of those seedlings, when grown to flowering, have been identical to M. polystachya. I strongly suspect that they are all self-pollinated polystachya clones, but just in case I have been crossing some of the "hybrids" together to see if anything hybrid-like emerges. So far those second-generation crosses have all looked like pure M. polystachya as well.

Case in point...

MM 22-261a. Nothing happening here, move along.

Gladiolus MM 21-497

Seed parent: Gladiolus gracilis

Pollen parent: G. priorii

As usual, crossing red and blue glads produces magenta offspring.

MM 21-497a

Gladiolus MM 21-492

Seed parent: MM 17-94d ((G. priorii x gracilis) x carinatus) X unknown

Pollen parent: MM 10-35 (G. tristis X trichomenifolius)

MM 21-492a. Both this and form b have a very distinct stripe in the midrib of each tepal.

MM 21-492b. Nice color, but the flowers are quite narrow.

MM 21-492c. No stripe, but a nice wide flower and it's a lovely vibrant magenta color.

Gladiolus MM 21-419

Seed parent: MM 17-62a  ((G. tristis x (gracilis x priorii)) x carinatus) X ((G. gracilis x priorii) x violaceo-lineatus)

Pollen parent: MM 10-35 (G. tristis X trichomenifolius)

MM 21-419a

MM 21-419b. Wow, I really like the colors and patterns in this one. Too bad the flowers aren't wider!

In bud the flowers are quite yellow, but they turn pinker as they age.

MM 21-419c

MM 21-419d

Gladiolus MM 20-210

Seed parent: Gladiolus bonaspei

Pollen parent: G. odoratus

A couple of very attractive flowers. Form a looks less colorful because its photo was taken in shade.

MM 20-210a

MM 20-210b

Gladiolus MM 21-403

Seed parent: MM 14-105d (G. watsonius X gracilis)

Pollen parent: G. gracilis

MM 21-403a. A pleasant soft red flower, on a robust stem thanks to G. watsonius. Blooms in late December in California, just in time for Christmas.

MM 21-403b. This one has a bit less yellow in the throat than form a.

Gladiolus MM 21-384

Seed parent: MM 17-46c ((G. gracilis x priorii) x violaceo-lineatus) X ((tristis x (gracilis x priorii) x venustus)

Pollen parent: G. odoratus

Blooms in late December in California.

MM 21-384a. The flowers are narrow, but they're on a robust stem and I like the intricate purple speckles and dashes.