Oncocyclus Iris - 2015

[Lesley Cox]

Oh, what glorious things are here. Thank you all, gentlemen. You've brought some light and joy into what has been a ghastly week here.

[art600]

I was lucky enough to holiday in Armenia when the Oncocyclus iris were at their peak.  An early Spring had been followed by a cold snap for two weeks including fresh snow.

We found these Iris iberica ssp. elegantissima quite by chance.  we had been provided with locations for many Oncos by kind forumists, but this site was an unexpected delight.

[Jupiter]

Can anyone tell me the parentage of Iris 'dardanus'? I'm having trouble finding its story.

Fabulous photos Arthur. I'd love to see those in the wild some day. How did you find travelling in Armenia?

[arilnut]

I. korolkowii var. concolor X I. iberica.

John B

[Jupiter]

Thank you John. Noted.

[Maggi Young]

A little extra info on Iris 'Dardanus'
From Pacific Bulb Society : http://www.pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/index.php/ArilIrises

"Iris 'Dardanus', one of the regeliocyclus hybrids (a name used for hybrids made between iris in the Regelia and Oncocyclus sections) This plant is now readily available, so there is no reason not to treat yourself to these lovely bits of eye candy. "

From : http://historiciris.org/photos/dardanus-brock.html

"Dardanus
G. van Tubergen, I. 1962 unregistered

AR 24" ML

Dardanus is one of the so-called regeliocyclus hybrids. Standards of violet; Falls buff-violet, veined darker.

From John Sheepers' catalog: "This large, exotic, Regelio-cyclus variety has strong, lilac standards with darker mauve veins and paler falls etched in sultry mahogany-purple."

(korolkowii 'Concolor' X iberica).

Cultural info: Plant the rhizomes horizontally with their tops exposed, in a sunny location. Fertile, neutral to slightly alkaline soil. Each rhizome should be planted more or less horizontally with the buds sideways and the root end tilted down and prior year growth tilted up. If it is planted simply horizontally, it will right itself. The cut end is from prior season division. The withered end is from the prior year's stalk. If you garden where there's summer precipitation and humidity it will need porous soil and may require some protection from rain."

[art600]

Fabulous photos Arthur. I'd love to see those in the wild some day. How did you find travelling in Armenia?

We had planned our trip very carefully and used a travel company to book the hotels, transport and guide.

We had a Mercedes 16 seat minibus.  This was excellent as it had a fridge and water heating facility.  Tea and coffee with our picnics was an unexpected, but very welcome treat.

[Jupiter]

Sounds great, but is it a safe destination for Western travelers? I don't know much about the place I confess but considering its neighbours it seems like it could be caught up in the messy business going on there now, no? Showing my ignorance no doubt, but I am on the other side of the World.
 

[David Nicholson]

Onco growers may wish to know that a new list of Oncos for sale from August will be available from:-
oncocyclus.iris@gmail.com

[Jupiter]

David can we have some more information on this please? Are they plants for sale only or are there seeds as well?

[David Nicholson]

All plants Jamus

[Anthony Darby]

I've got some seeds of kirkwoodii and nigricans. Apparently they can take 13 years to germinate. 

[arillady]

Or you can be lucky and have them germinate the same year or next.
The same oncocyclus cross but with different lighting in the first two photos
The next two are very close to this colour but these photos were taken late in the day after a frost - hence the floppy standards.

[Jupiter]

Pat are these earlier than usual? I think it was August when I visited you last year... It's good to see the season kicking off down South.

[Lesley Cox]

I am very excited to have 6 of 6 seeds germinate this week, of Iris grossheimii. This is not on our bio index as such but apparently is a natural hybrid between acutiloba and iberica ssp. lycotis, which both are so I was allowed to receive it. The seeds were from Kurt Vickery a couple of years ago and 5 came up on Monday, the 6th this morning. That's the easy part.