■(MDB) 'Socrates'

Origin Unknown

'Socrates' (Origin unknown, before 1908). DB, 8" (20 cm), Early bloom. Color Class-R9D. Dark red blend; hafts reticulated white; yellow-white beards. 'Olbiensis' X a I. chamaeiris. Listed by Garden Chronical 1909.

Note: Dykes considered this a "claret-red" form of olbiensis, q.v. The A.I.S. 1939 check list recorded parentage as 'Olbiensis' X I. korolkowii, a confusion of Dykes' 1908 note on a regeliabred seedling.

See below:

• * References

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References:

From Bonnewitz catalog 1920: Olbiensis, SOCRATES. Very rich and bright claret-purple, with falls of deeper shade and having a bright yellow beard; the best of its color and remaining in bloom a long time; foliage 3 in.; blooms 8-10 in. 25 cts.; $1.50 a doz.
From Carl Starker catalog 1929: Socrates. 8-inch. Claret red self. A very fine dwarf. 50c.
From Meadow Mountain Bulb Farm catalog 1931: SOCRATES. A clear rich red-purple, almost a self. The only one so far in this group to give a red effect. Very fine and quite rare. 7 to 9 ins. 75c. each, 3 for $1.75, 10 for $5.00.
Barr 1906 catalog

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-- BetsyHiggins - 2010-03-07