Reticulate Iris 2009

[Lesley Cox]

Both these have finer petal parts than 'George' and are taller at bloom time. 'George' flowers earlier than the other two.

Ian, your 3 and 4 look pretty much like 'Harmony' which is ret x histrioides.

[David Nicholson]

Does anyone else have problems growing Iris reticulata 'Kuh-e-Abr' or is it just me? I bought three bulbs in 2006, kept them outside and lost them; bought three more in 2007, kept them in the greenhouse and lost them; bought three more in 2008 and managed to get one flower-no sign at all of shoots from the other two.

[Sinchets]

Does anyone else have problems growing Iris reticulata 'Kuh-e-Abr' or is it just me? I bought three bulbs in 2006, kept them outside and lost them; bought three more in 2007, kept them in the greenhouse and lost them; bought three more in 2008 and managed to get one flower-no sign at all of shoots from the other two.

Where did you buy it from? Mine was from Rareplants. It seems to be bulking up well and set seed last year. Maybe mine isn't the real McCoy. 

[David Nicholson]

Simon, same supplier, maybe it's my fault I usually grow in 9cm rigid plastic pots so maybe it was too wet.

[Sinchets]

Ours have only ever been outside in a bulbframe seriously baked in summer- They were just coming up last week and when this ****** snow goes we should be able to photo them!

[Maggi Young]

Well, I am rather paranoid about virus, especially Iris virus but I am  seeing streaks  on the standards, David, so I'd guess that's why you are having problems.....

[David Nicholson]

Well, I am rather paranoid about virus, especially Iris virus but I am  seeing streaks  on the standards, David, so I'd guess that's why you are having problems.....

Mmmmm!! I'm not sure Maggi. The light was particularly bright when I took the picture and reflected back from my background card made the standards appear almost transparent. I had a look at the plant again today, a dark and dank day, and it appeared a much darker shade of blue with no trace of veining showing. I will keep it (hopefully!) another year and see how it looks.

[Anthony Darby]

I managed to flower it three years in a row, but it's just leaves this year. I have posted pics in former years.

[David Nicholson]

Here are Iris reticulata 'Harmony' from the greenhouse, and I. reticulata 'Cantab' from my bulb bed.

[Luc Gilgemyn]

Cantab seems to have done well despite the lousy Summer David ! 

[tonyg]

A monthy ago I posted a pic of Iris reticulata shoots some of which showed signs of virus.  Now the potful is in flower and all the plants have streaky flowers.  They are not living with the other irises any more and after I have chcked for seed set I will be burning them.

To lighten the mood I append a pic of a nice form of Iris reticulata from Armenia.  (Thanks Zhirair)

[tonyg]

And finally for this year! (at least on the reticulate iris front!)
A week ago this pot of Iris histrio burst into flower.  I had hoped to take them to Harlow AGS show tomorrow but today they are going over

[David Nicholson]

Cantab seems to have done well despite the lousy Summer David ! 

Yes Luc, it hasn't done badly at all. I noticed from my files I pictured it last year on 27 January 2008 so guess it chose to sleep on a while this year-don't blame it at all

[David Nicholson]

The Armenian Iris is a stunner Tony. Pity about you potential card winners you obviously didn't tell them when you wanted them to flower!

[Boyed]

Tony,

Very pleased to see that our native iris reticulata form does well in your collection. This is more common form here in our region. During last years I also managed to find some rare colour varitions.The most valuable ones are clear white and white with slight blue overlay forms. I intend to multiply them to introduce in culture and share with other bulb enthusiasts.

And many thanks to you for photos of virused irises. You know anything related with virus is in the framework of my great interest.