Reticulate Iris-2011

[Janis Ruksans]

Iris winkleri is the latest of all reticulatas, may be can compete with Turkish I. pamphylica. Here you can see flowers of last two bulbs still left in my collection. Both were crosspollinated to hope for more seeds than usually obtained (1-2). Pity, I was away at best time for pollinating, but I hope for at least some, one stigmatic branche still looked receptive. Regardless of high altitude - it is very difficult in cultivation. Seems that growth well, but bulbs too often rot. Just the best size bulbs rots most often. I still didn't find what I'm doing wrong.
Janis

[PeterT]

Thankyou for showing Janis, is the rotting at the end of growing when summer heat  arrives?

[Janis Ruksans]

Thankyou for showing Janis, is the rotting at the end of growing when summer heat  arrives?

No, it mostly happens in bulb shed after harvesting or after replanting - they didn't come up in spring. And mostly just top size, best looking at harvesting bulbs.
Janis

[David Nicholson]

In a series of pictures from the AGS Harlow Show February 2009 LucG pictured Iris reticulata 'Anemone', a real stunner. I haven't seen it available in the trade, does anyone know better?

[Hans A.]

Maybe Iris vartanii still will do better with you as your area seems to be warmer and drier - the seedlings of this species grow well - hope to get first flowers next year.

Earlier than expected!
(apologies for the bad night + flash picture)

[David Nicholson]

Lovely Hans, it surely would not survive my wet garden.

[BULBISSIME]

Good job Hans !!!
earlier than in nature I think 

[Luc Gilgemyn]

Superb !!!!

[PeterT]

congratulations Hans.

[Miriam]

Great!
I got a report they are flowering right now also in nature...this year it is cold here and rainy.
Although in Mallorca there was more rain and the rain started before Israel, they are flowering at the same time...interesting.

[Hans A.]

Thanks a lot for your comments, took a better picture at saturday morning, it is really a beauty with a strange fascinating colour, very showy in the morning and evening light. Yes Miriam, we had, compared with other years late but a lot of rain. I will observe how this species will flower in the following years.

[Lesley Cox]

What a treat, indeed a privilege, to see Iris vartani in flower. Thank you Hans, for showing this rare treasure.

[Janis Ruksans]

Fantastic, Hans. Never got it's flowers. Still have one or two bulbs, but it slowly disappears. Leaves almost every winter are seriously damaged or killed and bulbs become smaller and smaller every season up to...
Janis

[Hans A.]

Thanks Lesley and Janis - I am very glad it grows here much better than some forms of Iris reticulata, which bloom once and then disapear completly.

[Janis Ruksans]

Two days ago I wrote that Iris vartanii never bloomed with me, but today visiting greenhouse found large well developed bud between leaves. Although outside is around minus 5 C I hope to see at least once its flower.
Another reticulata - Iris danfordiae stock from Mazikiran gec. 1800 m altitude (BATM-357) where it is growing on flat mountain plato between sparse grass. Excellent form!
Janis