Reticulate Iris - 2015

[olegKon]

two of the hybrids flowering here now:
1. See Green
2. Blue Ice

[Brian Ellis]

I was blown away when I lifted the can covering 10-BL-1

Wow that is a stunner Alan

[Alan McMurtrie]

Here's another quite different Retic -- 09-OD-1

[fermi de Sousa]

Time to revive this thread!
First retics in flower in our garden now:
Iris (histrioides x reticulata) 'George' x2
Iris 'Violet Beauty' x2  - the true colour not captured by my "instamatic" -  I said as much about Jamus' pic a few weeks ago!
Iris 'JS Dijt', also loved by slugs 
cheers
fermi

[Maggi Young]

An update from Alan McMutrie for  his website on  the new developments this year....  http://www.reticulatas.com/

[fermi de Sousa]

Iris Natascha, new bulbs purchased this year from Lambley Nursery, in a new raised rock garden bed,
cheers
fermi

[Robert]

Fermi,

Do you grow your reticulata Iris dry or moist while dormant during the summer?

I have had mixed results here depending on the soil type and moisture levels or lack of moisture during the summer. In a very quick draining, lean soil, I very often need up with desiccated bulbs by autumn, if I do not irrigate the area in the summer. This seem to be the case even if the bulbs are quite deep in the soil. In clay they seem happy as long as I do not irrigate the area.

[fermi de Sousa]

Hi Robert,
Most of our retics are grown in clay to which some grit or sand has been added; we don't usually irrigate them. The exception is'Katherine H' which is grown in a bed which gets summer water,  but I've only had it two years. Previous attempts at growing her have ended in death for the poor lady, but I took a chance to try again and at least she has re-emerged. Now to see if we can get a second flowering!
cheers
fermi

[Robert]

Fermi,

Thank you for the reply. It appears that we are having somewhat similar results. I keep trying too.

[mark smyth]

Did we ever decide what colour Iris 'White Caucasus' actually is? Luc's is a fabulous white while mine are pale blue. Look at the petal that is in the shade

[zeblouz]

Hello,
As I understand it white irises are in fact blue irises but with the anthocyanin pigmentation suppressed. Take a look at I. florentina or the regelia I. hoogiana alba. Both can appear bluish under very overcast sky conditions, particularly in the bud stage or when the flowers open. In bright sunshine they are pure white. Juno I. magnifica can often also appear bluish.

[art600]

The first of my Iris retics

I purchased 'Sea Breeze' from John Amand at the Kent Show and I am surprised how early it is.

[fermi de Sousa]

Wow, Art,
that is early! Another McMurtrie hybrid, I see,
cheers
fermi

[Maggi Young]

 I Will take this  chance to remind folks that Alan McMurtrie will be one of the speakers at the SRGC Dunblane Early Bulb Day in February! 

[David Nicholson]

Nice one Arthur.