Iris reticulata 2019

[Rob-Rah]

It feels a bit early for the UK, but the first I. tuberosus is now out on the rockery here!

[Janis Ruksans]

Here some more of Alan's hybrids - the first three looks as traditional reticulatas, are excellent growers. Then two hybrids with danfordiae. On last picture is another brown which I named as 'Dark Brown'.

[Janis Ruksans]

Here two white danfordiae and reticulata hybrids, the number of second was lost.
Then Iris aintabensis seedlings from seeds collected near Gaziantep. In general looks similar to commercial form but between them are few dark coloured, too.
And last two in this entry represents Iris bakeriana - the first is wild form from Iran, W from Lake Urmia, the next - commercial form originating from S Turkey.

[Janis Ruksans]

The first 3 pictures are of Iris histrio - the first from Syria, collected shortly before there started war and it was friendly, peaceful country. The other two are from Hatay Province in Turkey.
Two last pictures are of Iris kolpakowskiana - one from Uzbekistan, another from Kirgizia.

[Janis Ruksans]

And here all 5 pictures are of Iris species which I regard as Iris hyrcana. All are pictured in various localities of Iran in mountains along S coast of Caspian Sea. Common for all of them is white pollens which in typical I. reticulata sensu lato (still hides several species) are yellow.
Population WHIR-149 is represented by 2 pictures, showing lighter and darker blue forms.

[Janis Ruksans]

Still few more I. hyrcana from Iran and then very special Iris - Iris kurdica. It was published by me as subsp. of reticulata and is single one known at present to me with black anthers and pollens. Distributed in Hakkari province of East Turkey.
The last picture shows pure albino of Iris reticulata found in Armenia, near Vanadzor.

[Janis Ruksans]

I think the last entry this morning are showing you reticulata irises which at present I name as Iris reticulata sensu lato. All of them has yellow pollens, single exception is very unique sample from near Hamadan - it is dwarfest reticulata iris seen by me - only 5 cm at blooming time. By flower colour resembles I. hyrcana and as it has white pollens. I have 3 samples from region but other two still not bloomed, so I can't judge about their colour.

[Janis Ruksans]

The first blooming of Iris sisianica in my collection - recently published species from Armenia (see International Rock Gardener), forming very unusual, long side growing stolones. Bulb photo borrowed from Dima Zubov (Ukraine), who found this species together with Leonid Bondarenko (Lithuania).

[Janis Ruksans]

Two pictures of Iris hyrcana - the first from NW corner of Iran, the second from Paeonia wendelboi locality.

[Alan McMurtrie]

A few photos from Holland at the beginning of March

Smile (03-CC-3) [this is a tetraploid version]


Wow (05-GQ-3)



If someone asks, "where do the brown markings come from?"
It's Magic (05-HW-1) [this is a tetraploid version]


Bright Eyes (03-BK-2)

[Janis Ruksans]

Iris pskemensis - it was found accidentally looking for Iris albomarginata, growing almost side by side over village Pskem. We could reach this place only with subport of State Secretary of Defense of Uzbekistan, using military jeep, as the region is closed for visitors due very (exstremely) brutal repressions to local people (using napalm).

[Janis Ruksans]

A few photos from Holland at the beginning of March

Wow! Very good, Alan! How long it will take reaching of market

[Janis Ruksans]

Iris sisianica - the single reticulata iris with stoloniferous habit - making long underground side growing stolones with small scale leaves and large bulb at end. Found by Dima Zubov and Leonid Bondarenko in Armenia.

[Janis Ruksans]

Some Russians put under doubt Iris pskemensis writing on Facebook that there are no difference with Iris kolpakowskiana. So this morning I visited greenhouse for some pictures. On the first picture both - on left kolpakowskiana, on right pskemensis. I specially replaced pot to pot for both flowers will be side by side, for you can see and compare both species. Some of them wrote me that he saw I. kolpakowskiana even at 4200 m altitude, starting from 700 m. Relating high altitudes there are next 2 pictures from 3.500 m altitude. Someone could again ask - what is difference with kolpakowskiana, reply is - you must see the bulb, completely different covers and colour. And the last picture - Iris sisianica - again I could be asked - what is the difference with ordinary reticulata - reply again, check the bulbs. All pictures made this morning, still blooms some kolpakowskiana, in full bloom pskemensis (it always follows kolpakowskianas) and sisianica (all other reticulatas already finished). For winkleri - both are the first two flowers, several still coming. If we will follow my oponents - there are no need for different species for irises... all of them has same type of flower

[David Nicholson]

...........If we will follow my oponents - there are no need for different species for irises... all of them has same type of flower

I'd settle for that?