Reticulate Iris - 2016

[Gabriela]

I wish someone HERE would import all of these wonderful hybrids and cultivars! including those from Janis. Except few common reticulata and histrioides cv. there is nothing available. And they do so well even when grown outside.
One company had some of Alan's hybrids last year but in such small numbers that I didn't get any 

[Alan McMurtrie]

Good news Gabriela,

Botanus.com will have 6 of my hybrids this year (9 are available in quantity from Holland).  Last year their supplier was trialing my hybrids.  In total 8,500 were sold.  This year the supplier is bring in 57,000.

In addition Veseys.com will have 3 including Scent•sational (no other Canadian firm ordered it).  TradeWindsInternational.ca (http://flowerbulbsrus.com) will have Eye Catcher and White Caucasus.

I will have a few bulbs of Orange Glow available.  They are more expensive, since the stock is low, but I want start to offset the €2,000 I paid out of my pocket last year for Plant Breeders Rights.  About 150 have been ordered so far of the up to 400 that will be available.

Folks here in Canada will have good access to my hybrids.  People in England have a slightly better selection.  It's the U.S. that isn't being as well served as it could be.  And of course, at the moment none have been ordered for New Zealand (encourage Van Eeden in Invercargill) and Australia.  Some are going to Japan, Sweden, and Germany.

I have tried to let companies know my hybrids exist and can be ordered.  The #2 importer in Canada ignored me in December, which means companies like Sheridan Nurseries won't be selling them

[Gabriela]

This is indeed good news! 

I ordered previously other bulbs from Veseys, the other company I never heard of until now. I am not sure who the #2 importer is here (unless it starts with V...) but I am not surprised unfortunately.
Since I am at a new place I looked last fall even for the otherwise regulars like JS Dijt, Natasha, Harmony...which I used to have all and couldn't find any.

[Maggi Young]

  People in England have a slightly better selection. 

  I think, I hope, that Alan "means" the UK when he says "England"  - a bit of a surprise that a Canadian doesn't know the difference! 

[fermi de Sousa]

I had a discouraging experience talking about Alan's hybrids to a "general" nurseryman, telling him about the incredible range of colours and saying that they would only be quite small.
His only comment "Not much use to me then!"(or words to that effect).
I forgot that some of the things we treasure others disregard
cheers
fermi

[Gabriela]

  I think, I hope, that Alan "means" the UK when he says "England"  - a bit of a surprise that a Canadian doesn't know the difference! 

You would be surprised Maggi about how many people don't know the difference! I am also wondering if all UK citizens are aware of all Canadian provinces 
Actually, I heard of legal actions that were started in regards with the 'allegiance to the Queen' part that is included in the Oath of Citizenship in Canada. There are many that think it should be removed.

[grackle]

Gabriela you might want to check out http://www.thimblefarms.com/ another BC company as well. I just found them last year and was impressed with their width of selection in Natives and Orchids. Alan they seem to have few varieties of reticulates they could stand some beefing up.
The loss of Garden Imports has hit many of us hard. It is as if we never considered that they might retire. I think Botanus picked up much of their stock.
pam
(Who hates typo-ing names)

[johnw]

You would be surprised Maggi about how many people don't know the difference! I am also wondering if all UK citizens are aware of all Canadian provinces 
Actually, I heard of legal actions that were started in regards with the 'allegiance to the Queen' part that is included in the Oath of Citizenship in Canada. There are many that think it should be removed.

These are people who have gone to court immediately after swearing allegiance and then get the oath to the Queen nullified.  Instead I'd say their oath should be nullified and given the old heave ho.

One of the very few who have done this went to court to arrange the retraction prior to taking the oath, I read that as the oath was not sworn in good faith, similar to under false pretenses which is legal grounds to nullify citizenship.

johnw

[Gabriela]

Thanks Pam. I bought plants from Fraser’s a few times,…..It is good material, only that the distance/charges makes it unpractical unless you can place a very large order.
Being situated in Vancouver Island, our sort of Canadian ‘banana belt’, I am afraid that especially plants grown there from seeds won’t adapt too well in our 5-6 zone.
The last record 2013/14 winters made a dent in everyone’s collections, but it is a sure thing that local plants/and grown from seeds were more resilient.

[Gabriela]

These are people who have gone to court immediately after swearing allegiance and then get the oath to the Queen nullified.  Instead I'd say their oath should be nullified and given the old heave ho.

One of the very who have done this went to court to arrange the retraction prior to taking the oath, I read that as the oath was not sworn in good faith, similar to under false pretenses which is cause to nullify the oath and citizenship.
johnw

I didn’t know particular details about this subject John, only witnessed a discussion (of which I zoomed out at some point since no plants were involved  . Very odd indeed, plus I don’t understand why the fuss; it’s merely a symbolic act and when coming to Canada everyone is/should be aware of its history (and not only...).

[johnstephen29]

Hi Gabriela off the top of my head, Manitoba, British Columbia, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Alberta, Ontario,  Newfoundland and Saskatchewan(I had to look up this one to get the correct spelling). Maggi I have heard many times in the past people in this country refer to it as Great Britain which is also not right. As to the queen I have to admit I haven't always been a big fan, but the state visit to Ireland changed all that and her speech in Dublin castle blew me away, also her Gaelic was perfect.

[johnw]

You seem to have missed Québec & the Territories north John!

Meanwhile you'll be please to hear groups under the auspices of Nova Scotia's Office of Gaelic Affairs got provincial grant money last month to promote the Gaelic culture & language including immersion courses. I think they said a third of Nova Scotians can trace roots back to Islanders and Highlands; my grandparents spoke it well but sadly failed to pass it on thinking it would be a hindrance to progress.

Gabriela - we split a Thimble order with some keeners and the order arrived on Wednesday, looking great and picked up yesterday. Shipping was $1.25 per plant but the prices of the plants were rather scandalous.  BC prices? Guess we should have bought a BC shack 20 years ago - see here - http://www.niagarabuzz.ca/2016/01/30/news/it-costs-2-4-million-to-buy-this-shack-in-vancouver/ rather small garden though....


john

[johnstephen29]

Hi yes I did miss those, but I didn't do too bad did I?. That's good to hear about Gaelic in Nova Scotia, that would be Scots Gaelic of course. I wish I had paid more attention to my Irish lessons when I was a kid, but I was more interested in hanging around with my mates, though some of it did penetrate to help me get by and understand a few of the scots words.

[Gabriela]

Hi yes I did miss those, but I didn't do too bad did I?. That's good to hear about Gaelic in Nova Scotia, that would be Scots Gaelic of course. I wish I had paid more attention to my Irish lessons when I was a kid, but I was more interested in hanging around with my mates, though some of it did penetrate to help me get by and understand a few of the scots words.

Not at all John! In all fairness you only missed Quebec The Northern territories (Northwestern T., Nunanvut and Yukon) are not provinces and under a different type of federal administration.

[johnstephen29]

Thanks Gabriela, a thousand apologies Quebec for missing you out.