By Sylvain Ruaud
During the time of the Union of
Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR, 1922–1991), it was difficult to share
information about the cultivation of irises. In some countries, public
authorities did not encourage this kind of leisure activity. A lot of
energy and astuteness were required to obtain Western varieties and carry out
crosses. Also, the cold continental climate of Russia is not very favorable
to the culture of iris. Hybridizing irises in these conditions was not an easy
task. Attempts were hardly conceivable except in the southern areas (now Ukraine
and Kazakhstan), and it was in these regions where iris hybridization was
practiced by some daring people.
Nina Miroshnichenko, in
Jytomyr, west of Kiev, was the first of them. We do not know how she obtained
the American or European varieties she used for crosses. Although Nina didn't
have many, she knew how to use them. Between 1970 and 1980, we learned that
Ukraine could be a land of irises. As soon as the Iron Curtain disappeared,
Ukrainians enthusiastically embarked on hybridization in less favorable
climatic conditions. Some Russians did exactly the same, to the point of
putting their nation in the forefront for the number of creations each year.
This beautiful adventure has continued since the beginning of the 21st century
and Ukraine has developed closer ties to the countries of the European Union
but the magnitude of contributions is not regularly discussed in the West. As the
spotlight shines on the iniquity and horror of what is happening in this
country, we can take a look at the culture and hybridization of irises in
Ukraine and the different actors.
'Solovinaya Noch' (Miroshnichenko, ca.2007)
Translation: Nightingale Night
In the list of hybridizers
published in the Iris Encyclopedia I found at least twelve names of Ukrainians
who were active at the time of the war that concerns us all. Most of them
operated around Kyiv or in the western part of Ukraine, the part most oriented
towards the West.
The oldest is certainly Alexander Trotsky, from Mikolayiv, a large city northeast of Odessa. He was
succeeded by his son Mikhailo. Between them, they have registered about
70 varieties, mainly tall bearded irises, between 2000 and 2020, like the very
nice soft blue 'Nebsnaya Pesnia' (2012).
Translation: Heavenly Song
It is mainly since the
independence of their country that Ukrainians have taken a passion for
iridophily. Since that time, several amateurs have tried their hand at
hybridization; such as the following:
Marija Konovalenko, near
Kyiv, with about 30 tall bearded irises of very classical workmanship, such as
'Kniazhyi Grad' (2018).
Translation: Book Graduate
Gennadi Mamchenko, near
Chernyiv, northeast of Kyiv, (see 'Zupyny Posmishku', 2012).
Translation: Stop Smiling
Volodymyr Vasyliev, near
Mikolayiv, (see the original 'Boginya Solntsa',2020).
Translation: Goddess of the Sun
Borys Pravdyvy, from Kyiv,
rather specialized in standard dwarf bearded irises but whose tall bearded
plicata 'Sharada' (2012) is one of the most appreciated varieties in his
country.
Some others became professionals,
as follows:
Svitlana and Vladimir Yakovchuk
live near the town of Soumy, near the Russian-Ukrainian border, one of the
first to be invaded. They created a large number of varieties—including
standard dwarf bearded, intermediate bearded, and tall bearded—which
they market themselves. For example, the yellow 'Gilka Zolota' (2010) is floriferous
and well-branched and meets criteria used in the West.
Translation: Golden Christmas Tree
Alla Chernoguz, from Kyiv,
has been active mainly in the field of standard dwarf bearded and tall bearded
irises for about 15 years. A good example of her work is the yellow amoena
'Soniachni Klarnety' (2010). Some of the irises from this breeder are found in
Western Europe.
Translation: Sound of Clarnett
Andrii Troshkin, breeder and producer located in the western suburbs of Kyiv. He sells his own varieties as well as the irises of his Ukrainian and foreign colleagues. His irises seem to meet the current Western criteria, such as 'Zolotoi Piedestal' (2016). Translation: Golden Pedestal
Evgenyi Nazarov, also from Kyiv, is a new breeder who seems to be particularly gifted as with this 'Shovkova
Vual' (2020), which should however be judged "on the spot", but that
is not the case.
Translation: Voile de Shovkova
Igor Khorosh, from
Ternopil, west of Kyiv, perhaps the best known of all, because he came to
France on the occasion of the "Franciris ©" competition, and is the creator
of a remarkable series of varieties whose names, in English, evoke their
origin, like 'Ukrainian Christmas' (2019), heavily laced like its American
relative.
'Ukrainian Christmas' (Khorosh, 2019)
All of this hard work was before
the current situation, which upset Ukraine, most of all, and also the
whole world. We are concerned about the fate of each of the breeders mentioned.
Some, who were active on the Internet at the beginning of the conflict have now
fallen silent. Others continue to call for help. The world of irises is not
spared from the drama and no one knows what it will be like in Ukraine when all
this ends. But one thing is certain. After the Second World War, French
iris growers, who had spent five years repurposing their nurseries to producing
food for their fellow citizens, replanted their beloved rhizomes and recreated
these flowers which also contributed to the recovery of their country. Ukraine,
which knows how to resist so well, will certainly know how to bloom again.
