I am just learning how to cross pollinate TB iris. This year is my first attempt. Everything I'm learning says to "cross" pollinate with a "father" plant and a "mother" plant, but what if I like one specific flower on one specific stalk better than the others and want to "self" pollinate it? Will it work?

You can certainly self pollinate a flower, however, the genetic background of Irises is very complex. If you get viable seed the progeny will likely run the gamut of genetic possibilities. In short, the parent plant will not self true to type. However, this has been done many times in the past and some rather nice progeny have resulted.

UtahGardener ~ to the Iris Forum!

Jpari said:You can certainly self pollinate a flower, however, the genetic background of Irises is very complex. If you get viable seed the progeny will likely run the gamut of genetic possibilities. In short, the parent plant will not self true to type. However, this has been done many times in the past and some rather nice progeny have resulted.

Yes, there's a further self pollination reason in breeding. Once a trait is found that would be valuable to keep, then self pollination is the way by which that trait becomes consistently present generation after generation. (also known as 'fixed' in breeding jargon). Identical plants to a parent are only achieved by cloning ( cuttings, rhyzome division or cell culture).

I hope to be treading that path sometime this coming spring September/October.

Arturo