(AB) 'Sharksiana'

1959, Roberts

'Sharksiana' OB (Earl Roberts, R. 1957). Seedling B-800. BB oncobred. 25" (64 cm), Early bloom. Standards white; Falls white with chartreuse lines; orange yellow beard. 'Sharkskin' X I. susiana . Melrose Gardens, 1959.

NOTE: Also listed in BB web. 'Sharksiana'.

See below:

• * References

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References:

From AIS Bulletin #153, April 1959: Introducing SHARKSIANA (Earl Roberts) ARILBRED (Sharkskin X I. susiana) For breeders only. Counted at 44 chromosomes, indicating that the 20 chromosomes of I. susiana were inherited unreduced, giving a double shot of Onco to this hybrid. Not a garden flower. Net $15.00. Melrose Gardens.
From Rainbow Hybridizing Gardens catalog 1963: SHARKSIANA_ (Earl Roberts '59) VE-14". For hybridizer's only. If you're a hybridizer you just won't be able to pass this one by--but if you just want real beauty and charm I'm afraid I can't recommend Sharksiana, the only iris in this catalog I can best describe as a HORROR. Then why grow it? For lots of reasons! Most tmportant, & speaking a bit technically, it has 44 chromosomes (24 from Sharkskin & 20 from Susiana), which makes it a second Ib-Mac True, but unlike that variety (which is world-famous as an Oncobred pollen parent) this sets seed. Pollen at least somewhat fertile too. Standards pure white, nicely arched; falls white flushed light chartreuse green, with deep chartreuse veins at haft, lightly splashed soft purple, narrow. Posit1vely known to be half Onco. Almost all familiar Oncobreds are of unknown parentage, or only a small part Onco, usually 1/2 or 1/8. But here is a FERTILE hybrid carrying many genes from most popular of true Oncos, Susiana. Will grow easily in your bed of Bearded Iris! I foresee a whole new upsurge tn hybridizing, for the legions of breeders of Arilbreds will want to try their hand at crossing it with very best of their Tall Bearded Iris. It may prove to be the key to many wondrous new Oncobreds. Sharkskin X Susiana. Regularly $5.00; on $10 order $2.95; on $25 order $1.95; 3 for $5.25.

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-- BetsyHiggins - 2010-01-19