Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum
Specific Families and Genera => Iris => Topic started by: Steve Garvie on January 02, 2014, 10:36:46 PM
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First reticulate iris of the new season here is Iris vartanii. It came into flower just before Christmas -as befitting an iris from the Holy Lands.
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7370/11717731283_4932b324d1_o.jpg)
Iris vartanii
(http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2867/11718243316_f99a2656ae_o.jpg)
Iris vartanii
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A single bulb of the wild diploid form of Iris danfordiae (bought from Janis Ruksan's last autumn) has broken cover well ahead of the other Iris danfordiae that I have.
It's providing some colour and good cheer during the darkest time of the year!
(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3737/11718579326_19b8331026_o.jpg)
Iris danfordiae BATM 0357
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7382/11718578926_99eb597beb_o.jpg)
Iris danfordiae BATM 0357
(http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2859/11718063753_9acce65273_o.jpg)
Iris danfordiae BATM 0357
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Iris reticulata seedling from a batch of Alan McMurtrie seed sown 4 September 2009 and flowering for the first time. May well be some others later in the season which I hope will be a little more exotic in colour.
This was seed shared with Arthur Nicholls, TonyG and Lesley and wondered if any of them have (or had in Lesley's case) flowers out?
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Lucky you, David.
I sowed a lot of Alan's seeds in 2003 and again in 2006 and am still
awaiting my first flower.
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Can't be skill on my part Diane. I sowed seven pots with 20 seeds in each pot and when I re-potted them all last July I had enough for four small bulbs in each pot.
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I've just looked closely at the plants growing where all the labels are for my
McMurtrie seeds, the green-leaved ones that are the only plants in the area,
aside from the blooming snowdrops.
The leaves are almost flat on the ground with the edges sharply folded up.
The outermost half of each leaf has the edges touching.
I've been scrutinizing the leaves in the retic photos on the forum but can't
decide if my plants are right.
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Iris reticulata seedling from a batch of Alan McMurtrie seed sown 4 September 2009 and flowering for the first time. May well be some others later in the season which I hope will be a little more exotic in colour.
This was seed shared with Arthur Nicholls, TonyG and Lesley and wondered if any of them have (or had in Lesley's case) flowers out?
Looking good David ! Well done !
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Two old cultivars in flower over a month earlier than last year !
Iris histrioides 'Lady Beatrix Stanley'
[attachimg=1]
Iris "Katharine Hodgkin" - obtained as "dark form"... some whisper that it's a virused form ??? :-X Any ideas anyone...
[attachimg=2]
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Nice flowers from all,
here my first:
Iris histrio in the pale form from S-Turkey
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Luc, Iris 'Katharine Hodgkin' is one of those frequently affected by virus, usually manifested by dark blue streaks in the flowers. Yours look clean. I have grown it for many years on a raised bed and it seems to be unaffected so far. However my Iris histrioides 'Lady Beatrix Stanley' got these streaks after 3 or 4 years, so I have disposed of them.
Here is Iris sophenensis x danfordiae 'Passion', one of Alan Mc Murtrie's hybrids, flowering early this year. Last year it was a month later but it has flowered around Christmas time before. A very unusual combination of olive and yellow. I will eventually grow these hybrids outside. Iris 'Summer Day' has been outside a few years and is doing fine. I have a few others about to flower.
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Luc, Iris 'Katharine Hodgkin' is one of those frequently affected by virus, usually manifested by dark blue streaks in the flowers. Yours look clean. I have grown it for many years on a raised bed and it seems to be unaffected so far. However my Iris histrioides 'Lady Beatrix Stanley' got these streaks after 3 or 4 years, so I have disposed of them.
Thanks for the feedback, Cyril ! It's a relief !
Quite a special looking hybrid you're showing there !! :o
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Iris reticulata ex Kuh-e-Abr, Iran.
(http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2864/11908464935_e78ec23966_o.jpg)
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7383/11908916194_24d4792381_o.jpg)
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Nice reticulate iris. Seems easy outside here. Is this the true colour Steve? I seem to remember this is one which is blue with no trace of purple.
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In life it is quite a clear blue Cyril.
These images were taken yesterday afternoon as the sun was sinking low in the sky. Such warm golden light is great for saturating reds and yellows but it can make the blues look a little muddy.
I should have adjusted the white balance in photoshop but laziness got the better of me! :o
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That's what I thought Steve. The time of day does have a marked effect on the colour balance.
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My second pot of Katharine Hodgkin to flower. It must be about 4 weeks earlier than last year. The ones planted out are about 7 days from flowering - providing Winter does not arrive ! At one time before Christmas, I contemplated planting water lilies as my back garden was a pool of water !
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My second pot of Katharine Hodgkin to flower. It must be about 4 weeks earlier than last year. The ones planted out are about 7 days from flowering - providing Winter does not arrive ! At one time before Christmas, I contemplated planting water lilies as my back garden was a pool of water !
Oh, Tom...your Katherine is ill....a virus! :'(
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Interesting. They have always looked like this since they first flowered years ago. How do I recognise the virus effect ? They grow well and look healthy.
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Interesting. They have always looked like this since they first flowered years ago. How do I recognise the virus effect ? They grow well and look healthy.
The irregular dark blue blotches on the petals are a telltale sign. Normally Iris 'Katherine Hodgkin' doesn't suffer because of it, a lot of those being sold have a virus. But the virus can be transmitted to other plants and kill them.
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Iris histrioides
(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3828/11908467755_c8d0fc5333_o.jpg)
(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3824/11908917114_2b73f2f075_o.jpg)
Close-up view of the fall.
Not a rare or coveted species but attractive nonetheless.
The flowers are worth close scrutiny!
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Fabulous close-up. Such detail.
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An iris collected in Iran
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An elegant beauty, Tony !! 8)
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An elegant beauty, Tony !! 8)
Yes elegant but small and frail.
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An iris collected in Iran
So much nicer then some of the hybrids with fancy names ... ::)
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An iris collected in Iran
It looks similar to my Iris zagrica which flowered end of January last year.
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Steve you have certainly captured the fairy dust on the iris closeup.
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Here is an Iranian retic iris blooming at the moment
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Very nice Arthur !!
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Here is another reticulate Iris from Iran. Label says 2004 :) ;D :)
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All these reticulate irises from Iran seems to fit in with Iris zagrica (which comes from Iran).
A few more reticulate hybrids from Alan Mc Murtrie in flower now.
Iris 'Avalanche', Iris 'Orange Glow' and Iris 'Snow White' NOT (Can anybody identify it?). The last one was a replacement but it is still not the true Iris 'Snow White' as shown in Janis's 2006 catalogue (this is a scan of a small picture, so not good). Is anyone growing the true plant?
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Cyril
I have seen Iris zagrica in Iran and it is really quite different from the Irises I have shown.
I will try to find my photos and post them here.
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I look forward to seeing your Iris zagrica. It is a new plant for me, only got it in 2012.
This is my Iris zagrica (from Bob & Rannveig Wallis) flowering end of January last year.
Also a little similar is Iris kurdica which flowered last month.
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Cyril
This is Iris zagrica photographed near the Iraqi border close to Marivan in late April 2010.
I will try to find my pictures of a slightly older clump showing a characteristic of Zagrica not observed in my reticulate iris - the leaves extend far beyond the flower whilst the flower is still OK. In reticulate iris the leaves extend after the flowers have gone over
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Interesting characteristic of I. zagrica.
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A reticulate iris collected in the surroundings of Lerik in South-Azerbaijan.
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Luc
Very nice Looks similar to Iris hyrcana
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Some superb Iris here, thanks for sharing all this pictures!
Here a few seedgrown Iris histrio are in flower.
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stunning plants all and nice to see them in the wild
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All very beautiful. What a fine clump of I. zagrica in the wild Art, and that Lerik plant is a wonderful colour Luc 8)
Hans, is that Mallorcan endemic Urtica atrovirens bianorii in your second photo (bottom right)?
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Ashley :o, yes it is.
It seems to be very rare in nature and I know only three places with very few plants (no one with more than ten specimen) - I could establish in my garden and now it appears here and there especially in seed pots. It hurts more than normal Urtica, but I keep them because it is an endemic rarity and so beautiful. I tried to establish several plants in different areas identically to native habitat, but it seems this experiment failed.
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Interesting characteristic of I. zagrica.
Cyril
This photo taken at the same site in April 2005, shows the extended leaves.
We did not know at this time we had found Iris zagrica :)
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Some superb Iris here, thanks for sharing all this pictures!
Here a few seedgrown Iris histrio are in flower.
A rather big difference in colour between those two pots Hans. Are both Iris histrio ??
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Cyril
This photo taken at the same site in April 2005, shows the extended leaves.
We did not know at this time we had found Iris zagrica :)
Arthur, I see what you mean. I will observe my plant to see this feature. The leaves must grow quite fast after the flowers open.
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My zagrica will not flower this year but has made a lot of smaller bulbs. I show a picture from last year. Sorry for the poor quality of the photo. It was obtained from Norman Stevens
Also I show seedlings of Lady Beatrice Stanley flowering for the first time
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Two more Iranian iris
Iris reticulate from the Olang Pass
Iris bakeriana collected in 2004
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I'm sure I've read somewhere that Iris zagrica has a long flower stalk and a short flower tube.
Here is my I. zagrica taken in failing afternoon light which is why the blue-violet colour appears so pronounced:
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7413/12056172743_77d99c3caf_o_d.jpg)
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Iris reticulata, a nice gift from Arthur, label says seed collected Turkey 2001, worth the wait I think.
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Two more Iranian iris
Iris reticulate from the Olang Pass
Iris bakeriana collected in 2004
Nice plants Arthur !
Iris bakeriana is new to me.
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more lovely plants. For some reason I got it into my head you can't grow reticulate irises in pots - no idea where I got that from.
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beautiful and interesting Reticulas everyone , including your I. reticulata col. Turkey Melvyn which looks more like I histrio to me .
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beautiful and interesting Reticulas everyone , including your I. reticulata col. Turkey Melvyn which looks more like I histrio to me .
I agree ... on both counts! I grow an Iris histrio form which is very similar, just coming into flower now. Mine is a RRW (Wallis) collection, also from Turkey I think.
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Iris reticulata seedling from a batch of Alan McMurtrie seed sown 4 September 2009 and flowering for the first time. May well be some others later in the season which I hope will be a little more exotic in colour.
This was seed shared with Arthur Nicholls, TonyG and Lesley and wondered if any of them have (or had in Lesley's case) flowers out?
I am hoping to see first flowers very soon!
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Looking forward to seeing them Tony.
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beautiful and interesting Reticulas everyone , including your I. reticulata col. Turkey Melvyn which looks more like I histrio to me .
Thanks Otto, always happy to be advised by those that know more about the species than me. The portrait I posted yesterday had only been out for a couple of hours so here is the flower again looking more mature 24 hours later.
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Melvyn - definitely worth waiting for.
Not sure if I succeeded with this one =must search through the significant quantity of pots.
Reticulate Iris rank alongside Crocus in my seed growing plans. Hope to have many McMurtrie hybrids flowering this year - planted October 2010.
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One from Dirk . Iris ret from Gechard , Armenia
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That is a nice one Ian, I do like it.
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That is a nice one Ian, I do like it.
Thank you David
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I don't (yet) have any rare reticulate iris or any from wild collected seed. But at the snowdrop sale at Myydleton House today my wife saw these on the Monksilver Nursery stand and decided I should buy them - she always prefers something with some colour in it! Iris reticulata 'Blue Note', Iris reticulata 'Gordon'. and Iris 'Lady Beatrix Stanley'.
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The next challenge Ralph will be to get 'em to come back next year! :D
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A rather big difference in colour between those two pots Hans. Are both Iris histrio ??
Luc, sorry for the late reply. Had received the seeds with that name, and I think they both are. Pilous listed seeds of Ziyaret Mountains also one year as Iris histrio aintabensis, but I do not think it fits (and is not longer valid) - so i think Iris histrio is not wrong. ::)
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A very brief thinning in the cloud cover let some light through for a short period of time this morning and I managed to take a few quick images (at high ISO setting so a bit of noise).
Below is an iris that had lost its label but now that it is in flower it looks to be the Kuh-e-Abr (Elburz Mtns, Iran) collection of Iris reticulata.
(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3818/12149761695_11f290f4f4_o.jpg)
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Steve , your I .reticulata c. Kuh -e - Abr is a beautiful shade of blue , like some forms of hyrcana .
I received this under the name of I histrio var. aintabensis M.&T (Mathew & Tomlinson ) 4501 , col .nr. Maras , Turkey , from Brian Mathew in the early 70,s and it is still with me 40 years after . I wonder if it really is a form of histrio or rather of reticulata ?
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It's certainly very attractive Otto!
Like you, I don't think it looks like typical I. histrio aintabensis.
It looks to have both histrio and reticulata features.
Regardless of what it is there is no doubt that it is very attractive with its beautifully patterned falls!
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Otto
Agree with everything Steve said.
I was overjoyed that iris collected in 2004 were still with me, but 40 years must be exceptional.
I attach a iris seen on Kuh -e- Sabalan in 2010. Similar colour and possibly Iris hyrcana
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I received this under the name of I histrio var. aintabensis M.&T (Mathew & Tomlinson ) 4501 , col .nr. Maras , Turkey , from Brian Mathew in the early 70,s and it is still with me 40 years after . I wonder if it really is a form of histrio or rather of reticulata ?
And that, in a nutshell, is why Otto is held in such high regard internationally as a plantsman - there are other equally good reasons why he is regarded so fondly as a friend!
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Hear hear Maggi I agree.
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The first of my McMurtrie hybrids to bloom this year.
Not spectacular, but I think it will be a good garden plant.
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I received this under the name of I histrio var. aintabensis M.&T (Mathew & Tomlinson ) 4501 , col .nr. Maras , Turkey , from Brian Mathew in the early 70,s and it is still with me 40 years after . I wonder if it really is a form of histrio or rather of reticulata ?
Otto, whatever it is, it is absolutely beautiful. Is it fertile?
The first of my McMurtrie hybrids to bloom this year.
Not spectacular, but I think it will be a good garden plant.
These hybrids grow well outside in the UK.
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Iris reticulata var. caucasica with a velvety deep reddish purple flower, just opening. First time flowering. Said to grow and increase well outside, so will put it in the garden later in the year.
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I have been noting the flowering times of Kath. H. and B.Stanley in pots and in the garden.
The ones in pots were all from the same initial bulb purchase years ago potted at the same time and kept in identical coditions.
Katherine Hodgkin flowered first on 31 December followed by a large pot on about 7 January.
Beatrice Stanley flowered in a pot on 29 Jan
Outside, in situ,it's the reverse. B.S. in full bloom and K.H. at least a week behind. Again, both planted at the same time in the same position. I have no idea why, but it adds to the interest.
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Cyril , M&T 4501 has never set seed with me - must try to hand pollinate it this coming winter . It is a small flower but a nice colour combination .
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Iris 'Avalanche'
The slugs got there before me :'(
Other reticulatas under water - Saturday, yesterday and probably tomorrow if the forecast is right
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A couple of iris looking good here at present.
In purple the first of my Iris reticulata seedlings to flower from seed that David Nicholson ordered and shared a few years back. Thanks David!
In blue is a vigorous form of Iris histrio obtained from Rannveig Wallis a few years back. I started with one bulb but now have two potfuls plus a couple of escapees in the garden.
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Lost label iris growing in a tub by the front door. Nothing unusual. Can anyone ID?
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In the same tub, I. 'Katharine Hodgkin'. My point and shoot camera doesn't focus too well in these low light conditions!
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A second flower on Iris zagrica. This flower is of a better form and colour than the initial bloom (on the same plant).
Incidentally it would seem that one of the features of Iris zagrica is that the spent flower doesn't really wither but rather simply drops off (the resultant callus can just be seen on the image below).
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7418/12273736006_76dd1628bc_o.jpg)
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Steve, very beautiful this I. zagrica. It seems fairly variable from the different pictures I have seen. Interesting feature of the flower just dropping off.
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"Common as muck" as the saying goes but pretty enough just the same:-
Iris reticulata 'Purple Gem' and I. r. 'George'
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David, they don't have to be rare to be beautiful!
Here are 3 easy ones for the garden:
Iris histrioides var. sophenensis, narrow segments which are very unlike Iris histrioides.
Iris (Iridodyctium) kopetdaghense Caucasian Form with leaves overtopping flowers. The Georgian forms have leaves that are shorter than the flowers.
and Iris reticulata, (hyrcana-like hybrid x tallish plant) seeds from BIS (British Iris Society) sown 1998.
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Iris reticulata caucasica, a week after I showed a picture of the flower just opening (Reply 70)
The first flower of Iris kolpakowskiana this year. This was grown from SRGC seeds in 2005 and have flowered for the last 4 years. You can get some gems from the SRGC seed exchange.
edit to repair typo in name Iris kolpakowskiana
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Iris histrioides 'Royal Blue', one of my selected seedling from Iris histrioides 'Major', with deeper royal blue flowers. It is clumping up well and seems very vigorous so far.
Iris histrio? flowering for the first time. This came as seeds of Crocus baytopiorum!! I knew it was an iris but the flower surprised me. I suppose it must be I. histrio with the intricate markings and spots.
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I've enjoyed following the discussion and the excellent photographs.
Nothing interesting about mass produced I. danfordiae, but it does bring us good cheer at this time of year.
Thanks to everyone for sharing the thoughts and photographs. :)
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A few reticulates from today:
Iris pamphylica received as small bulbs a few years ago from a generous forumist...
Iris zagrica ex Jim Archibald collection
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Some very fine plants here!
First flower of an Iris pamphylica caught my attention - in sunshine it had a very intense electric blue flower, when I went for my camera the sun was hidden behind of clouds all the rest of the day. ::)
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Cyril,
I envy you - I can see, you are able to grow many reticulata-type irises in the open garden, in cool summer Scotland. I was totally unsuccessful here in warmer (and dryer) summer Poland. Ok, I know - I have a woodland garden and I'm watering it in summer (I have to!). But I have some warm sunny sites and my place is very free draining.
I started with the Dutch cheap stock (danfordiae, Rhapsody, Katherine Hodgkin and others) - no clump-forming, no breaking down into small bulbs - just disappearing. Have never seen seeds. On the contrary - Iris bucharica does well in my garden.
I have a feeling they may need purely mineral soil. Possibly organic content promotes summer rot.
Now I try with small numbers of different irises - may be one will like my site??
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Dainty Iris pamphylica from Alex and Hans. Mine is 2-3 weeks away from flowering.
Jacek, the Scottish climate seems to suit the reticulate irises very well. All those I have tried outside have grown well. They only need to be lifted and divided when the clump get too congested. Iris winogradowii has thrived outside for more than 20 years. It must be the hot summer they do not like in Poland. It will be interesting to see whether the mineral soil makes a difference.
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Cyril,
I envy you - I can see, you are able to grow many reticulata-type irises in the open garden, in cool summer Scotland. I was totally unsuccessful here in warmer (and dryer) summer Poland. Ok, I know - I have a woodland garden and I'm watering it in summer (I have to!). But I have some warm sunny sites and my place is very free draining.
I started with the Dutch cheap stock (danfordiae, Rhapsody, Katherine Hodgkin and others) - no clump-forming, no breaking down into small bulbs - just disappearing. Have never seen seeds. On the contrary - Iris bucharica does well in my garden.
I have a feeling they may need purely mineral soil. Possibly organic content promotes summer rot.
Now I try with small numbers of different irises - may be one will like my site??
Not just confined to Poland Jacek, the reticulatas die out very quickly here too, despite our having theoretically ideal conditions and being only a few miles from Brian Burrow who grows them very successfully outside. Personally I blame the local molluscs. If given some protection in a trough or frame they do fine. And they do great in pots under glass too. Very frustrating.
I'd love to grow pamphylica - I'm really envious!
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Sent to me as "Spotted on Twitte" : by AGS @Alpinegardensoc
"......... there's a whole range of these hybrid iris bred by an American including 'Orange Glow' and 'Sea Green' they're stunning"
Err, no, that would be a CANADIAN, Alan McMurtie ! http://www.reticulatas.com (http://www.reticulatas.com) 8)
At least they got it right about the Iris!
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I was given 'Fabiola' by a kind Forumist I can find no information on this reticulate iris.
It has an incredibly vibrant flower - will try to capture this if it stops raining.
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While waiting for Arthur, I'd post a few pictures ;)
Iris reticulata kopetdaghensis (Iris reticulata "Kopet Dag" MCM type)
Iris historio subsp. aintabensis
Iris hyrcana
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You really do grow to perfection YT.
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First off, if any Reticulata enthusiasts are at the RHS London Plant and Design show Feb 21 and 22 I would love to meet you. This will be my first time in the UK. Afterwards I will be heading to Paris, and then up to The Netherlands for the Lentetuin in Breezand, as well as to talk to Reticulata growers.
Personally I don't think much of Fabiola. Not to knock Ron van Lierop, but Fabiola is just a typical violet Reticulata. You could easily say I'm biased because I have lots of my own hybrids. And yes, I have some blues I think are much better. You be the judge. The photo of Fabiola was taken at the 2013 Lentetuin.
Ron does have a lovely white sport from Pauline that he has been building up stock of, and he also has a pale yellow sport from Katharine Hodgkin. Both of those are worth introducing.
Interestingly you can sometimes find a different appearance in my hybrids in Holland. This difference appears the first bloom after the bulbs return home. It's something in the soil, perhaps the fertilizer. By the second year when they are back home they're almost back to normal. Here's 01-NS-1 in my garden a couple of years ago, and last year in the field in Holland. This becomes a catch 22 for Dutch bulb growers - are they evaluating what I'm evaluating. The problem to-date is they don't send me pictures of what they are seeing, or discuss the flowers, they just say which ones they are finished testing.
Occasionally the Reticulatas are in bloom in the field when I'm at the Lentetuin, but more often than not there's only a few varieties showing just a few flowers. This year promises to be amazing, because I've heard my hybrids have already started in the fields.
I am still mystified as to why Orange Glow (98-OO-1) was rejected. Yes, Dutch growers say the flowers are too small for the large-scale commercial market, but that should be able to be overcome by creating tetraploids which might be 20-30% larger. More importantly, I would have thought having something heading toward orange, and with brown markings, would have been a real achievement; but apparently not.
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One of my proudest achievements at the moment is 05-HW-1.
Note: the second picture was taken 9 days later (the flower had been protected from the elements, and bees, by an upside down tin can)
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You really do grow to perfection YT.
Thank you David! As always I'm saying, the latitude and the number of sunny days in winter here are different to yours. You would be growing them far better than me if we were at the same place ;D
One of my proudest achievements at the moment is 05-HW-1.
Note: the second picture was taken 9 days later (the flower had been protected from the elements, and bees, by an upside down tin can)
Alan, that is the really nice one. Thank you for sharing.
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First off, if any Reticulata enthusiasts are at the RHS London Plant and Design show Feb 21 and 22 I would love to meet you. This will be my first time in the UK. Afterwards I will be heading to Paris, and then up to The Netherlands for the Lentetuin in Breezand, as well as to talk to Reticulata growers.
Hope you have a great visit to London, Alan - be sure to point out to folks that you are a Canadian - there seems to be some confusion down there!
Sent to me as "Spotted on Twitter" : by AGS @Alpinegardensoc
"......... there's a whole range of these hybrid iris bred by an American including 'Orange Glow' and 'Sea Green' they're stunning"
Err, no, that would be a CANADIAN, Alan McMurtie ! http://www.reticulatas.com (http://www.reticulatas.com) 8)
At least they got it right about the Iris!
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First off, if any Reticulata enthusiasts are at the RHS London Plant and Design show Feb 21 and 22 I would love to meet you. This will be my first time in the UK.
Alan
Are you there both days? I can only go on the Friday as Saturday is a Snowdrop Day/
Hope to see you there.
Arthur
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One of my proudest achievements at the moment is 05-HW-1.
Note: the second picture was taken 9 days later (the flower had been protected from the elements, and bees, by an upside down tin can)
Hello Alan,
a really wonderful cross; Congratulations!! :D :D
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One of my proudest achievements at the moment is 05-HW-1.
Stunning Alan, and I think it is beautiful in the second shot too. What a joy they are to see, well done.
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..........................Interestingly you can sometimes find a different appearance in my hybrids in Holland. This difference appears the first bloom after the bulbs return home. It's something in the soil, perhaps the fertilizer. By the second year when they are back home they're almost back to normal............
Some beauties there Alan.
Interesting what you said in the quote above. 'White Caucasus' is always described as "crystalline" white (or a similar description) in the UK trade, from Dutch stock but I've always found it to have a distinct and marked blue tinge. I wonder if you have hit on the reason?
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Spectacular flower Alan. I hope it will become available soon.
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Yes, I will be at the show both days. No specific plans. Would be happy to give a talk, but perhaps that will be next year. The idea is simply talk to people about my hobby and promote my hybrids. It's a bit of a catch-22. For the past 16 years I have ben trying to get Dutch growers interested in growing my hybrids. Last year with John Amand's help I tried to interest some small-scale growers, in hopes of getting some of my hybrids to market sooner -- some of the ones the large-scale growers aren't interested in. However it seemed in part those small-scale growers didn't feel there was a strong demand for Retics. In a sense I understand. A new Reticulata usually means just another blue: case in point Fabiola, Blue Note, Carolina... so I need to find out how to get the word out about what I've done. I don't want to tease people -- look at what I've got; sorry it won't be commercially available for 15 years. This is where we could be selling 100 to 1000 of some varieties in just a couple of years.
It's taken 16 years to build up the stocks of several of my hybrids to over 100,000 bulbs each. This could have been accomplished quicker if the grower said he was interested sooner. I would have been able to supply him with more bulbs. Instead he just kept being noncommittal.
Here is a photo of the original White Caucasus. In the enlargement you can see true white beside the yellow ridge, and an ever-so-slightly greyed white of the rest of the flower. This of course would normally be purple, but something has happened to the chemical composition of the anthocyans to have them reflect white to our eyes rather than purple.
There were some tissue cultured bulbs created about 10 years ago. I'm not sure if they are the reason for the blue tinge, or if it was something in the soil where the bulbs were grown.
Here's a picture of Down To Earth (94-AT-2) the first year it bloomed upon being returned to Toronto, Canada (2009)
The second year blooming here it was more or less back to normal (2010). What a difference between the two.
Here's a picture of Down To Earth posted by Jan Jacobsen this year to Bulborum in Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10202288917479099&set=gm.723963964300568&type=1&theater (https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10202288917479099&set=gm.723963964300568&type=1&theater)
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Unfortunately, I must agree to Alan, with the felt low need for Reticulata-Iris to you. If I offer these irises at plant markets, refusal often comes because of missing flowers in the second year. Also with me die plants often die after the blossom and only the bulbills are still alive. Though they often flowers after 2-3 years, but this work many do not want to come along.
Besides, these are in form and colour, nevertheless, such marvellous plants.
Here a very nice hybrid of you:
Iris 'Coffee Brown' :o
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Iris 'Coffee Brown' is 98-PR-2: http://www.reticulatas.com/HTML%20Pages/98-PR-2.html (http://www.reticulatas.com/HTML%20Pages/98-PR-2.html)
Unfortunately Dutch bulb growers would say it's far too small for the large-scale market
I would like to get more hybrid vigour into my hybrids. In part I was hoping by growing them from seed in Toronto, Canada this would happen naturally (as opposed to Holland's less harsh conditions). Of course a key factor is the quality of the parents and their potential. Here I am using Iris danfordiae as a key parent in many of my hybrids and we know what a reputation it has for "shattering." I do see quite a range of variation in how well my hybrids do, from ones that bloom once and they are gone, to ones that increase quite well, both in terms of number of bulbs and size of bulbs.
Not all of the hybrids I release will be "perfect," but the goal is to try to keep making them better and improving colour range, etc.
I have plans for where to go from here...
I am hoping a lot of people will be able to enjoy my hybrids in pots, for example in Paris apartments/studios.
Being able to get up close and personal and enjoy Orange Glow, or Avalanche, or a pot with several different varieties while waiting for Spring to start would be wonderful. Down To Earth is nice in its own right, but having something bright and cheery would be nice even if it means they get tossed when they are finished. This is where it becomes a question of what colours, and colour combinations are the public most attracted to.
I want to give the public lots of choices. Certain ones will appeal to people at different times. The Dutch just want to grow just a couple of varieties in large quantities. If they could I think they would want to grow just one variety. It would make planting, digging, and cleaning so much easier. Of course that doesn't truly make sense from many points of view. Bottom line: that's very short sighted thinking.
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Two forms from Iris reticulata in flower today:
Hop Pass, SO-Turkey
Almeh- Region in northern Iran
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The first flowers in an "alpine" container on my balcony: iris "Katherine hodgkin"grown along with some other bulbs which i hope will produce some flowers ( leucocoryne, ipheion, ixia, crocus tommasinianus , tulipa clusiana).
Thanks for all the great pictures of these incredible irises!
JP
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I have only one Iris reticulata, this one bought at a local show as an un-named seedling.
I love it's dark colours. Should I try self pollinating it?
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Pete - that is a really lovely Iris. I like the strongly ones too.
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Two forms from Iris reticulata in flower today:
Hop Pass, SO-Turkey
Almeh- Region in northern Iran
Two forms with good and strong colours Dirk ! I like them both and they look very healthy and wel grown . Are they in the garden ?
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I have only one Iris reticulata, this one bought at a local show as an un-named seedling.
I love it's dark colours. Should I try self pollinating it?
Indeed a very good colour on that one Pete !
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Hi Pete, your un-named seedling is actually 'Blue Note.' It's a sport of Pauline.
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Hi Pete, your un-named seedling is actually 'Blue Note.' It's a sport of Pauline.
By coincidence, Ian came home with some of these Blue Note's from Dunblane today! Very pretty Iris, glad to have it.
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Many thanks Alan. I had not expected anyone to recognise it, but I am so pleased that it has a name.
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Two forms with good and strong colours Dirk ! I like them both and they look very healthy and wel grown . Are they in the garden ?
Kris,
I cultivate almost all Reticulata irises on beds in the open land. Only some like pamphylica and vartanii stand in the greenhouse.
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Iris sophenensis x danfordiae ‘Sunbeam' (Alan McMurtrie), another one that will go outside on the raised bed.
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two new flowers today,
Iris histrio ssp.aintabensis in the dark form
F2 seedling from Iris sophensis x danfordiae
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Gasping at Cyril's Sunbeam - wow!
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I must tell you about an experience I had with Iris reticulatas last autumn. After receiving them I set them aside until I got round to removing annuals growing in a raised bed. A couple of weeks later there were loads of blackfly on the inside of the back door every morning. This went on for weeks until I went to plant my Iris. I was blown away by the number of aphids smothering each bulb. There were also 100s of winged adults in every bag. I cleaned the bulbs using water from the hot tap but they couldn't be saved.
I should have taken photos. This must be how the virus is spread
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Iris reticulata Dijst
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I bought bulbs of this reticulata type Iris at a local garden center last fall. They look very uniform - like they are all the same clone. By any chance can somebody put a name to it.
Thank you so much! :)
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Iris histrioides 'Lady Beatrix Stanley' in flower today.
I think, the best form from all Iris histrioides.
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Iris histrioides 'Lady Beatrix Stanley' in flower today.
I think, the best form from all Iris histrioides.
Dirk
Outstanding
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I bought bulbs of this reticulata type Iris at a local garden center last fall. They look very uniform - like they are all the same clone. By any chance can somebody put a name to it.
Thank you so much! :)
Robert, possibly Iris reticulata 'Harmony' but there are so many cultivars in the trade that look much the same
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Robert, possibly Iris reticulata 'Harmony' but there are so many cultivars in the trade that look much the same
David,
Thanks for the guess. I thought that there might be many that look more or less the same. I can still enjoy the lovely little plants, but I have to admit that I like having their name.
Thanks again! :)
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...there are so many cultivars in the trade that look much the same
Of course if you had said that in the snowdrop threads you would have been drummed out of the brownies (well scouts I suppose in your case) ;D ;D
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;D ;D ;D I did think about putting in a Snowdrop joke Brian.
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Friends of the SRGC, Jacques Amand Intl. have won a Gold Medal at the RHS London Show today - it's usually the Galanthophiles getting excited about this show, but the Irises are getting into the picture this year!
[attachimg=1]
[attachimg=2]
[attachimg=3]
The Amands will be in the USA , attending the Philadelphia Flower Show as usual, on 24th February
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Wow, didn't they do well :)
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Breathtaking !
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I have a favor to ask! I am trying to establish a precedent of Reticulatas and Junos at The American Iris Society’s First International Virtual Iris Show as a substantial component. Cultivation of the many rock garden Irises is limited, or unknown to many iris lovers. If I can encourage many entries of the less well known Irises I am sure it would increase interest in rock gardening, but I need your help. If you can, please enter the Virtual Show. It includes all irises but I have created special sections for several groups of rock garden Irises. The show is part of the Iris Encyclopedia sponsored by the American Iris Society. If you love the Reticulatas, Junos, Arils, and other Iris species as much as I, please help me create a great display. Although I have been a member of many Rock Garden Societies for over 40 years I am new to this forum. From what I have seen it is fantastic. Bob Pries e-mail at robertpries@embarqmail.com
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I helped out all day Thursday putting together the Jacques Amand stand. The white Retic at the front of pictures 1 and 3 is my 98-NP-4 / Avalanche / Eye Catcher.
I was near the stand all day today and will be there all day tomorrow. At times I was just up the stairs above the display talking to garden writers. Sorry if I missed anyone.
If you are there tomorrow Saturday, and you don't see me just enquire at the Jacques Amand stand.
Hopefully it will work out for me to come back next year
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Alan, did you see the post above yours from Bob Pries- I thought you might be able to get his members clued up on retic - and maybe be at Phily- but of course you're going on to Holland next aren't you?
Are you staying with John and Helen?
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Hi all. And here are 2 more of Alan's hybrids blooming now.
They were from a mixed batch he sent me where the wind
had blown over the plastic cups while he was replanting.
Haven't IDed them yet. Alan????????????????????
JohnB
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Hi Magie,
Yes, I did see Bob's Post. I will have to get something done for him once I'm back in Canada.
Yes, I'm saying with John and Helen - very delightful
John, The first is 00-KN-1, and the second is 98-OK-1 (nick name: Green Ice)
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Nice flowers, John.
Here is Iris hyrcana from Talish Mts.
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the first flower after some years from this beautiful species,
Iris pamphylica in the greenhouse
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And here is Alan's Sea Green
John B
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Iris winogradowii alba is actually thought to be a hybrid as it is sterile. Not completely white but pleasing pastel shades. Should be growable outside, I now have enough to try. Iris winogradowii itself does well outside here.
Iris reticulata 'Blue Note' ( a recent selection from Alan McMurtrie) has been shown before, but I like the deep blue colour of the flowers.
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These were taken a couple of weeks ago but I've just got round to posting.
Iris histrioides 'Lady Beatrix Stanley'
Iris 'Halkis' and 'Alida'
Iris 'Pauline', 'Clairette' and 'Blue Note' a new one for me this year and one I like a lot
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winogradowii alba looks attractive, Cyril
Iris histrioides 'Finola' is a new one for me this year. It came from Bloms and I have not seen it offered elsewhere. Does anyone know anything about it? It is white but has strong blue veining on the falls.
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Not heard of 'Finola'. Probably a new variety. Looks attractive.
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Iris winogradowii
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7384/12820233244_d2917a00fc_o.jpg)
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7392/12819811765_336c248f20_o.jpg)
Common and easy to grow but still a favourite of mine!
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Finola is from De Goede Bulbivaria. It is a sport of one of the 3 histrioides x winogradowii hybrids
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Iris winogradowii
Common and easy to grow but still a favourite of mine!
One of my favourites too. Prefer it to its hybrids with I. histrioides. You must have it in a pot under cover Steve. Mine ore only just in bud outside but then most of my plants flower later than yours.
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Finola is from De Goede Bulbivaria. It is a sport of one of the 3 histrioides x winogradowii hybrids
Thanks, Alan. I thought it might be. I have the three hybrids. I am not keen on 'Katharine Hodgkin' but can't decide between 'Sheila Anne Germany' and 'Frank Elder' which one I like best. All grow well for me so I hope 'Finola' does as well.
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Iris histrio collected I think in SE Turkey some years ago and passed on to me. Collection notes are lost
Iris winowgradowii a gift from a friend
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Tony,
a very nice pot of Iris winogradowii. Sorry, your Iris histrio is histrioides or a great form reticulata.
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Tony,
Sorry, your Iris histrio is histrioides or a great form reticulata.
Dirk
thank you I know little about iris. I have changed the label
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Lovely potful of Iris winogradowii Tony, very evenly flowered.
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I must get some winogradowii and its white form this year
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Frank, Katharine and Sheila - I prefer Sheila Ann
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the first flower after some years from this beautiful species,
Iris pamphylica in the greenhouse
So many great pictures - but after all this is still my favourite, thanks for sharing this picture Dirk!
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Fairly common contirbutions but I do like Iris 'J.S. Dyt' though I have seen it spelt a few different ways
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.............. I do like Iris 'J.S. Dyt' though I have seen it spelt a few different ways
I think that spelling of Dyt is indicative of the pronounciation of the name ( which has been said to me as "deet" but I note that the RHS Plant Finder has it as J. S. Dijt.
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Friends of the SRGC, Jacques Amand Intl. have won a Gold Medal at the RHS London Show today - it's usually the Galanthophiles getting excited about this show, but the Irises are getting into the picture this year!
The Amands will be in the USA , attending the Philadelphia Flower Show as usual, on 24th February
Special achievement award, achieved for display at Philadelphia Flower Show. (https://twitter.com/JacquesAmandInt/status/439611544855666688/photo/1)
[attachimg=1]
http://theflowershow.com/ (http://theflowershow.com/)
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Bulbs Mondrian- the Amand display
"Influenced by the Dutch painter, Piet Mondrian, Jacques Amand International presents the landscape, Bulbs Mondrian, emphasizing the principles of abstraction and simplification. The sharply defined areas, created by horizontal and vertical lines of turf, give special prominence to each bed of color and bulb variety, establishing an overall balance and harmony of vision. An abstract steel sculpture by Lisa Fedon creates a visual focal point echoing Mondrian’s ideal of universal harmony. "
[attachimg=1]
The Amands have exhibited at the PFS for many years, and John has judged there as well.
Small world really - British designer Andy Sturgeon was invited to be the 'Convenor of Judges' at this years' Ellerslie Flower Show in New Zealand - where NZAGS team won a Silver medal.
He was overseeing the judging process which allocates medals of Gold, Silver Distinction, Silver, Bronze and Merit, as well as five Supreme Awards for Design Excellence, Horticultural Excellence, Construction, Lighting and the coveted Judges’ Supreme Award.
At the same time his team was preparing an exhibit at the Philadelphia flower show in the USA, which won several awards there.
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Amazing display from Jacques Amand International.
Iris kolpakowskiana grown from my own seeds sown 2003.
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Nice pot of this beautiful Iris Cyril!!!
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Iris kolpakowskiana grown from my own seeds sown 2003.
Interesting tall variant at the rear of the pot.
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Nice pot of this beautiful Iris Cyril!!!
Steve, very distinct perfume too.
Interesting tall variant at the rear of the pot.
Grown from seeds they are variable with some having a yellow crest.
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Steve, very distinct perfume too.
Grown from seeds they are variable with some having a yellow crest.
I like to see this variation but I know others who would be cloning it out....... :D
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Iris kolpakowskiana grown from my own seeds sown 2003.
Cyril, beautiful and well grown pot of kolpakowskiana!
Here is a few from my garden
Iris danfordiae BATM-357 (about a month ago)
Iris histrioides from wild collected seeds
Iris 'Dark Desire' a gift from a kind forumist.
Iris 'Sheila Ann Germaney'
Iris 'Katarine Hodgkin'
Poul
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A few more
Iris 'George'
Iris 'Halkis'
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Lovely Poul. Just to get the name correct on your last one it is 'Katharine Hodgkin'
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Yes, of course. Thank you, David.
Poul
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one of the last in the Reticulata group,
Iris histrioides from Soganli, NE-Turkey
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Dirk
Beautiful plant
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What a lovely Iris Dirk.
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Many thanks, Arthur and David.
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Dirk , I too admire your I. histrioides ,col. Soganli Pass . I looks very much like the commercial
histrioides 'Lady Beatrix Stanley'.
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Dirk , I too admire your I. histrioides ,col. Soganli Pass . I looks very much like the commercial
histrioides 'Lady Beatrix Stanley'.
Exactly my thoughts, Otto !
It's a beauty Dirk !
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Dirk , I too admire your I. histrioides ,col. Soganli Pass . I looks very much like the commercial
histrioides 'Lady Beatrix Stanley'.
Otto, you are right.
Possibly comes Lady Beatrix Stanley also from this region. But this wild form flowers about 2 weeks later and has even more compact blossom.
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To my eye Iris reticulata 'White Caucasus' has a blue tinge but the camera sees it as white. I thought 'Finola' was white apart from the blue lines on the falls but when seen next to 'White Caucasus' it looks more cream.
'Frank Elder' a bit chewed
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To my eye Iris reticulata 'White Caucasus' has a blue tinge............
Agree with you 100% Roma, I'm always banging on about it. It annoys me when sellers describe it as "Crystelline White"
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Iris winogradowii on the raised bed and loving the sun today.
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Iris reticulata 'Pixie' has been looking good for a couple of weeks
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We are having a very early spring. Irises are blooming
1. Evening Twilight
2. Sea Green
3. Dance on
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Sorry, another picture of Iris Evening Twilight, this is horizontal
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One of my favourites: 03-FQ-1
It looks so clean; so pristine.
Some of my hybrids in Holland (taken this year), including 00-KN-5
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98-GP-5 (photos taken in Holland)
This hadn't been a favourite when it first bloomed. But when I saw it in Holland this year I thought "Wow, that's lovely"[attachimg=1]
[attachimg=2]
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That's an amazing number - is it just natural increase?
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Yes, just natural increase. A little over doubling ever year. Which is why it takes 12+ years to get 100,000 bulbs -- the point at which large-scale sales can begin.
Tissue culture can shave a couple of years off getting to market, but just a couple. You still need to first test the variety for a couple of years. Once you decide to put it in the lab it takes just over 2 years to get say 2000 bulbs. The first year in the field the bulbs don't really increase; sort of like taking a plant from being indoors under lights, to outdoors in the sunlight - there's some setback.
Here's a picture of 01-FS-2
[attachimg=1]
At the moment there's perhaps 100 bulbs (30 bloom-size) + 50 bulblets
[attachimg=2]
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Alan,
I can see on your pictures, that the Dutch growers use straw to mulch their fields. Do you know why?
My understanding is that this is a traditional method to protect bulbs from winter frost damage, as snow cover is not guaranteed. Taking into account that bulb growing has 400+ years history in Holland this need is understandable. Yet winters in Europe are much milder now than they used the be 100 years ago. Is such protection still needed in case of bulbs that are rather hardy, like iris? Or there is some other need? Or may be they plant the bulbs shallow in the soil so they are more exposed to the frost damage?
To give an example. 2 years ago we had a "disastrous" cold snap in continental Europe in January/February. Yet in Holland the absolute minimum temperature during this snap was 3 F or -16 C only (Rotterdam). I do not think such temperature may do any harm to hardy bulbs.
Is there any other reason to use straw or the tradition only?
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In The Netherlands there is often quite a strong wind in the bulb fields. Straw is actually used to keep the sandy soil from blowing when the outer layer dries out.
Here in Toronto, Canada straw is used for a different purpose: to protect against thawing in the middle of Winter. Occasionally at the end of January or early February we can have a warm spell for a number of days and snow on the raised beds melts. The goal is to keep the soil frozen; whether by straw or some other mulch (leaves have a tendency to blow once they dry out). Otherwise seeds or small bulblets near the soil surface feel the warmth of the thawing and think it's time to start growing. Their cell sap starts to flow and it's freezing point rises -- the plant can no longer withstand the cold temperate that it could just a few days prior. The bulbs can easily withstand temperatures of -25°C, but if it goes to +10°C at the soil surface (I'm not sure what the actual temperature is 1cm deep, but its above freezing re: wet muddy soil), and that's followed quickly by -25°C you can find virtually nothing comes up in a seedling patch. Whereas the prior year there had been lots of grass-like shoots (first year seedlings). Of course over the span of a couple of years, the bulb's contractile roots pull the seedling deeper into the soil, so by the time the bulbs are bloom-size, their base is about 7cm deep.
Since there's not much to look at when a thaw occurs in the middle of Wimter I don't have any pictures of that.
I've got lots of pictures of having a snow fall in April when things are in bloom. In that case temperatures are just a bit below freezing and seedling and small bulbs are unaffected. The snow acts like an insulator to the cold air temperature, and the soil remains soft.
April 11, 2013
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Thanks, Alan. Obviously I am experimenting with bulbs outside in the garden. Loses are significant.
Regarding group of reticulata irises I have not noticed any loses due to frost, even after thaw. Only leaves tips in case of severe frost. But I do not have any seeds, thus I do not have seedlings. And I plant everything as deep as I can.
Unfortunately reticulatas do not have any tendency to naturalize in my garden despite I persuade them to do this for me.
I'm happy you are able to persuade Dutch growers to grow your beauties commercially. May be via Holland they will become available to me. Are they fertile?
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Yes, generally speaking my hybrids are fertile. The key is which parents were used. Typically my hybrids are either 2n=18, or 2n=20. Bold’n Beautiful isn't fertile for example because it's a cross between 2n=20 and 2n=16 (I. histrioides)
Take a look at www.Reticulatas.com (http://www.Reticulatas.com)
The key issue with freeze/thaw cycles is having a warm spell followed by a sudden prolonged very cold spell. Buds of fruit trees can be similarly affected. They can withstand freeze thaw cycles no problem, but if they get fooled into starting into growth and a sudden deep cold snap comes along, there goes your fruit crop for that year.
Reticulatas tend to be very hardy since they are from mountainous regions. Only Iris vartanii is tender.
Reticulatas need a bit of attention for them to do well. I recommend replanting some into a new spot in the garden every 2 years or so. Good drainage when the bulbs are ripening (leaves dieting down) is also important. Don't plant them too close together, yes it makes for a nice display, but if disease gets in it will wipe them all out.
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I bought last autumn some bulbs from Estonia and they are nameless McMurtrie hybrids. The seller had bought them from Netherlands but the labels were wrong and so he sold them as a mix. These are very nice, and earlier than normal I.reticulata (bought from garden center). Nine out of ten look like the ones in the first picture and one was darker and there was little green also in the flowers. They are also quite hardy because they flower in spite of freezing night temperatures. I hope they also come up next year, and multiply.
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Spring is finally here in Toronto, Canada.
One of my F1 danfordiae x sophenensis hybrids "bursting" through the snow.
In another bed 07-CE-1 had opened earlier in the day.
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Spring is finally here in Toronto, Canada.
One of my F1 danfordiae x sophenensis hybrids "bursting" through the snow.
In another bed 07-CE-1 had opened earlier in the day.
Crikey, Alan - to say that while there is still snow on the ground is optimistic! I hope you are right and that the coming spring is good to you and the Iris!
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It's been cool over the last 2 days, but there's a touch more colour showing.
Here's a bud of 03-AQ-1
[attachimg=1]
I have a feeling this will be a new colour/shade [92A Violet-blue] 08-BN-1
[attach=2]
A couple of nice blues with veining. 07-P-2 is new, but 07-P-1 opened for the first time last year.
Here's last year's picture, so you can see what's about to be revealed.
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A clump of 07-P-1 would look spectacular
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IRIS ZAGRICA
nice little thing blooming this week in SE Michigan USA
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IRIS ZAGRICA
nice little thing blooming this week in SE Michigan USA
I love this colouring.
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Lovely little Iris Rimmer
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A few new things from Iris danfordiae:
08-BN-1 wasn't quite the colour I pictured from the bud, but lovely none the less
[attachimg=1]
07-V-2 is a lovely stark white with striking markings, but it is small -- only 38mm tip-to-tip
[attachimg=2]
08-BG-1 is a nice bitone pale yellow
[attachimg=3]
08-AZ-1 is not showy per se (re: garden setting), but it is unusual and none the less striking
[attachimg=4]
07-BH-1 takes after one of it's parent's: 01-FS-2
[attachimg=5]
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Gorgeous Alan, 8-AZ-1 may not be showy but it is certainly a stunner. Congratulations on your breeding programme, it must give you great joy to see the new crosses appear.
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Cant wait for Alan's hybrids to be available in the UK or mail order
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05-GT-1 involves all 3 2n=18 species
Of particular interest is the two colours on the standards
[attachimg=1]
[attachimg=2]
06-CC-3 is blue, but it is from Iris danfordiae and has standards
In this case they are slightly paler
[attachimg=4]
07-BH-1 is now fully open
[attachimg=5]
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05-GT-1 involves all 3 2n=18 species
Of particular interest is the two colours on the standards
Absolutely beautiful, especially so in the second picture.
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wow the purple one and yellow one are fabulous
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We have a winner (in my opinion) for best new Retic in 2014: 06-CT-2
[it is small; but that's not necessarily a bad thing]
[attachimg=1]
[attachimg=2]
How's this for a white and blue: 05-GS-2)?
[attachimg=3]
Very interesting... (06-J-2)
[attachimg=4]
Another interesting yellow and green combination (06-EJ-2)
[in particular vs last year's 06-AK-2]
[attachimg=5]
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I always thought small was beautiful Alan - counts me out ;D
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We have a winner (in my opinion) for best new Retic in 2014: 06-CT-2
[it is small; but that's not necessarily a bad thing]
wow that's fantastic
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We have a winner (in my opinion) for best new Retic in 2014: 06-CT-2
[it is small; but that's not necessarily a bad thing]
What I like about this is the neat, somewhat rounded, shaping - reminiscent of I. danfordiae
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05-FG-2 is quite lovely. It is somewhat similar to 00-KN-5 of which there is a modest stock in Holland
[attachimg=1]
05-EV-2 was quite a surprise. Its not surprising based on the parentage. Rather it's surprising because 05-EV-1, which first bloomed in 2011 is just a plain old blue. Which simply meant, I didn't hold much hope that 05-EV-2 would be exciting.
[attachimg=2]
[attachimg=3]
05-HD-3 has an unusual fall pattern
[attachimg=4]
96-BN-1 has been around since 2000. At that time I had a total of only 8 2nd generation hybrids. Unfortunately it was rejected by two Dutch bulb growers. I was particularly surprised by that given how different it was from other Retics in the market. I can only believe that was because it was small for the large-scale market. I thought I had lost it. It was the first of a group I termed "spotted light blue-green," that occasionally showed up in back crosses to Iris danfordiae.
[attachimg=5]
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05-FG-2 is quite lovely. It is somewhat similar to 00-KN-5 of which there is a modest stock in Holland
Perhaps they could be persuaded to release their stock via the forum ;D ;D
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That would be good, Brian
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Here's a composite picture showing how 03-AQ-1 changes over time.
I expect the average person might like it. In one sense the fact the orange fades is a negative, but on the other hand it makes it a bit more interesting.
[attachimg=1]
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Here's a composite picture showing how 03-AQ-1 changes over time.
Alan
:o
Iris "Mutabilis"!!
I must be one of those average people who'd like it ;D
cheers
fermi
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Wouldn't it be great if it was stable in all four forms ;D ;D
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The question is how hard should I push to get it introduced. 03-AQ-1 is about 42mm tip-to-tip (tip of one fall to the tip of another). Creating a tetraploid might make it 50mm, which should be an acceptable size. For large-scale commercial sales, growers want large flowers.
The amazing thing is how orange the flowers are... when they first open.
A grower rejected Orange Glow presumably because it was small. The diploid form is only 45mm. Time will tell how large the tetraploid and octaploid versions are.
I believe in 05-HW-1, which starts out 46mm, but "shrinks" to 40mm because the falls curl a bit as the flower ages. Hopefully the tetraploid will start off closer to 60mm and "shrink" to just under 55mm. Time will tell.
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Here's a composite picture showing how 03-AQ-1 changes over time.
I expect the average person might like it.
very desirable
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The question is how hard should I push to get it introduced. 03-AQ-1 is about 42mm tip-to-tip (tip of one fall to the tip of another). Creating a tetraploid might make it 50mm, which should be an acceptable size. For large-scale commercial sales, growers want large flowers.
The amazing thing is how orange the flowers are... when they first open.
A grower rejected Orange Glow presumably because it was small. The diploid form is only 45mm. Time will tell how large the tetraploid and octaploid versions are.
I believe in 05-HW-1, which starts out 46mm, but "shrinks" to 40mm because the falls curl a bit as the flower ages. Hopefully the tetraploid will start off closer to 60mm and "shrink" to just under 55mm. Time will tell.
A tertraploid with the orange colouring - even if it fades after a few days would perhaps satisfy the growers?
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We nearly missed this one (the slugs didn't >:( )
Alan's Iris s x d 'Sea Green'
;D ;D ;D
cheers'fermi
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Iris 'Violet Beauty' is a new addition and looked pretty good this morning.
The first iris 'George' opened as well,
cheers
fermi
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Alan, thanks for showing us these hybrids. I love them, particularly the one you call 03-AQ-1. What a gorgeous subtle thing... this is something I can see myself getting to once the kids are grown up a bit.
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I have been growing Iris ret. 'Michael' since the 1970,s but it seems to have disappeared from commercial lists . Would some one know its history : did it originate in Holland and who bred it ? Is it pre World War 2 ?
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Hi Otto,
Franz Hadacek posted a pic of Iris histrioides 'Michael' on the Forum on 12-02-08 http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=1194.180 (http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=1194.180)
But it doesn't look like the one you posted.
Here's 'Edward' in a raised bed in our garden,
cheers
fermi
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Thanks Fermi , but Franz's Iris is a form of histrioides , where as mine is a form of reticulate . I wonder if it could have been raised by van Eeden who did a lot of hybridising in Holland in the 1960,s .
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I have been growing Iris ret. 'Michael' since the 1970,s but it seems to have disappeared from commercial lists . Would some one know its history : did it originate in Holland and who bred it ? Is it pre World War 2 ?
Hello Otto,
Iris reticulata Michael was indeed registered by the KAVB in 1973 by van Eeden
The colour description was:
Standards dauphin's violet (CC 90A), falls plum purple (CC 79C), veined bronze-green, blotch ivory white, spotted purple.
I believe this cultivar is no longer in culture here in the Netherlands. :(
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I got this one this year as 'J S Dijt' which seems to match pics on the interweb but it looks paler than I remember it when I grew it a dozen years ago. Another case of things in the past looking better? :-\
cheers
fermi
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Thank you Luit for confirming that Iris reticulata 'Michael' is indeed a 'baby' of van Eeden .Despite being an old variety I still think it has a place in gardens 'Pity it is not grown any more in Holland or perhaps anywhere else . Fortunately it still grows happily in my garden .
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So early as never before during the last years,
Iris vartanii from Israel.
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Dirk i'm surprise you grow this species in a compost made of turf (seeing photo make me thinking of klassman or brill mix).
Anyway superb specie of reticulata.
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Dirk i'm surprise you grow this species in a compost made of turf (seeing photo make me thinking of klassman or brill mix).
Anyway superb specie of reticulata.
Yann,
Reticulate Iris are to be got in pots only quite hardly big, with some humus substrate it is rather possible. I do not want to eat also only dry bread, there butter and sausage hears on it. And why should it go for my plants worse? ;D ;D ;D
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Yann,
Reticulate Iris are to be got in pots only quite hardly big, with some humus substrate it is rather possible. I do not want to eat also only dry bread, there butter and sausage hears on it. And why should it go for my plants worse? ;D ;D ;D
So, do you also give them cognac and cigars, Dirk? :o 8) ;D
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;D i've never tried reticulta in such substrat, i've a bag full of Klassman mix will try to grow roots in it.
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So, do you also give them cognac and cigars, Dirk? :o 8) ;D
Maggi,
One could try this at Christmas sometimes.
Maybe again other colourings originate in the flower. 8) ::)
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Maggi,
One could try this at Christmas sometimes.
Maybe again other colourings originate in the flower. 8) ::)
;D Could be an interesting experiment, Dirk! ;)
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Iris vartanii is starting to flower here, as it had lots of rain leaves grow fast.
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What a wonderful sight.
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Iris vartanii is starting to flower here, as it had lots of rain leaves grow fast.
wow its a beauty
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Thanks Ashley and Mark
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Iris vartanii is starting to flower here, as it had lots of rain leaves grow fast.
Oron,
just fantastically this amount of Iris vartanii.
Is this one clone?
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Oron,
just fantastically this amount of Iris vartanii.
Is this one clone?
Hi Dirk, these are different clones, all grown together.
Here are two special forms of I. vartanii in flower today
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Hi Dirk, these are different clones, all grown together.
Here are two special forms of I. vartanii in flower today
Hi Oron,
many thanks, there I wish a good seed harvests.
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Iris vartanii is starting to flower here, as it had lots of rain leaves grow fast.
Oron
Do the leaves normally outgrow the flowers? I like Iris zagrica, but the leaves spoil the plant when the flowers are at their best by being so tall.
Arthur
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Oron
Do the leaves normally outgrow the flowers? I like Iris zagrica, but the leaves spoil the plant when the flowers are at their best by being so tall.
Arthur
Art,
Flowers and leaves appear together, usually flowers are above the leaves at this stage [probably to clear the way for pollinators] than the leaves grow rapidly, particularly if they get good rains like this season.