Irises-Non-Bearded 2012

[Rick R.]

Thanks Ron, for all that digging around, regarding Sun Moon Lake.  That does shed a lot of light on it, albeit confusing.  I'll have to see if I can talk to Joan.  I haven't seen her since she sold her house and gardens (about 40 miles(64km) from here) a few years back.  She must be getting quite old now.

[ronm]

That would be great Rick, I really hope we can pin the history of these plants down. My current thinking is that any plants that are there were probably introduced by the Japanese when they spent some time on Formosa ( Taiwan ).
Looking forward to seeing anything you can dig out. 

The National Endemic Plant Checklist of Taiwan lists only two species,
Iris formosana Ohwi, 1934 
Iris nantouensis S. S. Ying, 1987 ( Sun Moon Lake is in Nantou County, but this species isn't I. tectorum Sun Moon Lake, see link below).
http://www.bulbsociety.org/GALLERY_OF_THE_WORLDS_BULBS/GRAPHICS/Iris/Iris_nantouensis/Iris_nantouensis.html

Only two species on Taiwan,
http://tai2.ntu.edu.tw/ebook/ebookpage.php?book=Fl. Taiwan 2nd edit.&volume=5&list=5702

[David Nicholson]

Grown from seed sown September 2009 and flowering for the first time- Iris clarkei

[ronm]

Beautiful  .
Congratulations David on growing this one from seed. ( do you think it's pure? ).
It is often said to be easy to grow, but it seems it's rarely pictured, and uncommonly shown or discussed 
Hope it multiplies well for you, 

[David Nicholson]

Thank you Ron it looks about right to me. I maybe have a spare one and if so I'll put your name on it. Can't check now as we are just about to leave to meet some friends and on Monday off to Madeira for a week. I won't forget though.

[ronm]

Thanks David. 
I'm sure your photo will generate some comments.
Travel safe, have a lovely week away.

[Maggi Young]

....... on Monday off to Madeira for a week.

 Given the weather currently, and that forecast, David, I reckon you've made a smart move there! Hope you and Maureen have a really good break.

[DaveM]

And Iris setosa again from my garden.

[daveyp1970]

Grown from seed sown September 2009 and flowering for the first time- Iris clarkei

Stunning iris David

[Lesley Cox]

Grown from seed sown September 2009 and flowering for the first time- Iris clarkei

NOT! Now David, you know very well that I. clarkei has a typical butterfly-shaped patch on the falls. I'd suggest yours is an interesting sibirica group hybrid. I can't see much of clarkei in it though (also sibirica group).

I may well be wrong but I understand that I. tectorum though widely known as the Japanese roof iris is, in fact of Chinese origin, taken to Japan at some stage for cultivated purposes. The blue form that Rick L shows is the typical form we have here, along with even more beautiful pure white, I. t. album which happily comes true from seed.

[Armin]

Lesley,
very beautiful, I. clarkei 

[Graham Catlow]

Iris sibirica 'Silver Edge' At its best just now. Not sure about tomorrow - the weather forecast isn't good - strong winds and rain.

[daveyp1970]

First time flowering raised from seed,it came from a bag of mixed iris seed,so no name sorry.

[ronm]

Grown from seed sown September 2009 and flowering for the first time- Iris clarkei

Easy to solve, I believe. If the flower stem is solid then is I. clarkei, if hollow then not.

[daveyp1970]

Easy to solve, I believe. If the flower stem is solid then is I. clarkei, if hollow then not.

WOW nice fact Ron and one intend to pinch from you and use on uninformed people .