Peony Hybridizers: Khorosh Igor

Igor Khorosh

Country:

Ukraine, Ternopil

Short biography:

I am 58 years old, I had a medical and biological education. By profession I am a hybridizer of irises and tree peonies.

More information:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ihor_Khorosh

https://www.facebook.com/igor.khorosh/

Peony hybridizers series

Igor Khorosh (left) with Vasyl Gorobets

How did you first get involved in peony hybridizing?

I first started hybridizing peonies 20 years ago (in the early 2000’s). I have been growing flowers since 1972 (when I was 5 years old). In the 1980’s and 1990’s, I became interested in hybridizing gladioli and irises. My teacher was my mother, Myroslava Khorosh (a biologist and teacher by profession).

What was the starting material for your hybridizing?

My peony collection currently includes about 1,000 varieties of all groups (species, herbaceous, intersectionals, and of course tree peonies)

What are your goals in hybridizing peonies?

The main goals in my hybridizing tree peonies is their individuality, charisma, resistance to diseases and bad weather conditions, flower shape, color, scent, and stem strength.

Do you mostly depend on open pollination or do you mostly make controlled crosses? 

How large is your hybridizing program?

Every year I make several dozen crosses. I plant several hundred seeds, from which I select a few of the best each year.

Do you have any plants in the market?

I have more than 150 varieties of irises on the market that have received international recognition. Tree peonies are in the process of being registered.

Do you know the American Peony Society (APS)? Are your plants registered there?

I will apply for registration this season.

Can you describe a few of your plants that you consider the best or most beautiful and which are available now?

Yes, of course. But they will only become available in the next seasons.

Myroslava Khorosh

Ukrainochka

Vira Samchuk

Ukrainian Dance

Yaroslav Khorosh

Olena Lebetska

Are you in contact or working together with other peony hybridizers? 

Yes, I collaborate with other hybridizers both in Ukraine and abroad. I would like to collaborate with new colleagues.

Do you have unregistered plants that are not good enough to introduce but have something ‘special’?

No, I’m getting rid of those.

Would you like to exchange such ‘hybridizers plants’ with other hybridizers? 

I don’t know yet.

Name a few peony varieties from other hybridizers which you especially like?

Oh, there are hundreds of them. All of from the tree peony group

Intersectionals: Bartzella, Morning Lilac, Hillary, Scarlet Heaven, Sonoma Halo.

Herbaceous hybrids: Svitlana, Skarbnytsia, Old Faithful, Red Charm, Red Grace, Sarah Bernhardt, Pastelegance, Lemon Chiffon etc… Because they are the best of the best.

Final question. Any remarks or suggestions you may have…

I didn’t think about this question.

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