Iris, non-bearded 2016

[Regelian]

John,
they are heavy feeders and need a full-sun, warm spot.  All of mine are actually in water and I do know of a few who grow them in big tubs with water and fertilize regularly.  They do not like freezing, although they tolerate it, it does weaken the plant.  Most are very robust plants, but I have had a few refuse to perform in my pond.  Do you know the name of the one you have?

Jamie

[Lesley Cox]

Banning just the straight species sounds too much like common sense John, and that would never do! When any species is prohibited any hybrids it may have made are also prohibited. Of course we may apply to have such hybrids (or other non-prohibited species not already here, assessed by EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) but this literally costs upwards of $1600 (basic application, then costs plus GST on top of that) PER SPECIES!. So that doesn't happen. On the other hand if a species is OK (generally only those things which are already here) its varieties or subspecies are OK too. A hybrid may be imported so long as both parents are permitted.

You can imagine the frustration and sense of terrible loss and deprivation when we in the far south see the new introductions from China and northern Asia which it seems we will never be allowed to grow.

[johnstephen29]

Hi Jamie I don't know the name anymore, I've had it that long. I have fish in my pond so fertiliser is out, I'll have to think of something else. It really is frustrating that I have no problems usually with iris bar Louisiana and unguicularis. Hi Lesley your quip about common sense made me laugh, it is so true though the world over, it is a shame they are so strict about plants in nz, but I suppose they don't want any foreigners causing havoc like Japanese knotweed does here.

[Lesley Cox]

That's right John. I believe there are 5 criteria in an assessment. They include weed potential, potential to destroy habitats, potential to introduce new pests or diseases, potential threats to commercial crops and I can't remember the other one. You get the picture and none of us would argue with any of those but if Frit. meleagris and F. camschatcensis are fine, why not  F. sibthorpiana or F. monantha? If Iris iberica or I. reticulata, why not II. stocksii or barnumae?  It's just they have never been recorded as grown here previously. We may have what we already have, but not not we currently DON'T have.

[johnstephen29]

Hi Lesley it does seem strange to include some species of a certain plant and not others, unless these excluded plants have been know to be invasive, which could explain why they have been banned.

[partisangardener]

Today my first Iris chrysographes seedling started to bloom. I think it is the fourth year of growth and the third in my bog.
The mother plants where bought and set into a bog 10 cm above maximum water-level.
There is certainly no danger of it becoming a weed.

[johnstephen29]

A beautiful plant in a loverly setting, I have one of these myself and it's spreading nicely.

[Regelian]

Axel,
lovely deep colour.  I find this the most diffcult of the sino-sibericas in my garden for some unknown reason.  Can you tell me about the soil where it grows?
J.

[partisangardener]

Just plain peat sand mixture. On a small mound above the maximum water level. It seems to like conditions like the higher Sarracenia species with which they grow at my place.
They make no problem at all, in this conditions. Some fertilising may be positive. My friend Knorbs had flowers a year earlier with fertilizing. I did not fertilize them.

This is one of the places it grows well besides the Gladiolus palustris is another plant of this species not yet in flower, but with bud.

[Regelian]

Axel,
that really helps.  My soil is a sandy, slightly alkaline clay, typical for my side of the Rhein.  Maybe this species is pH sensitive.  I'll get some seed and try again with a peaty soil.
j.

[vanozzi]

Axel, that is a beautiful chrysographes you posted in a wonderful natural  setting!Thanks for relating your growing method,especially water requirements.My only two chrysographes flowered last year, but failed to set seed, despite several attempts .Now I'm down to one and it's the only 40 chromosome specie that I have in this sub-species.Mine also is not as black as yours.
I'm now growing quite a few siberian hybrid seedlings, both diploid and tetra, the first will flower this year.My stock plants (40) are mainly noid,which I'm trying to id.  A lady gave me several hundred seed and I imported 500 seed from the main siberian breeder in the USA.
I. chrysographes
I.''Golden Edge'' (maybe)

[Lesley Cox]

Lovely velvety chrysographes forms Vanozzi. The sibirica is rather similar to one called 'Silver Rim' though the edge doesn't seem to extend right round. A lovely plant whatever it is.

[FrazerHenderson]

Is this Iris linifolia? Identification welcome

[partisangardener]

The second flowering plant of Iris chrysographes in my bog is even darker than the first one. While the first was quite low (30cm) this one is 52 cm.

[johnstephen29]

Quite a few irises have come into flower with me, the first is the hybrid I x hollandica eye of the tiger, I've had it for years and it gets better every year, next is I. sibirica Perry's blue another good garden plant, next is I. tectorum, a beautiful blue iris, next is I. Setosa which has lilac flowers, the only problem I have found with this iris is that aphids love it, so I have to keep my eyes peeled. Lastly is a bit of a pride and joy iris for me I. orientalis, i grew this from seed set about two maybe three years ago. Always great to see your hard work come to fruition.