Oncos 2009

[Regelian]

Hans,
do you have other clones of I. nigricans and can make a cross pollination?

This seems to be a common problem with the arils, as they are rarely self-fertile.  A pollen-exchange board for Iris in general may be usefull in perpetuating some of these otherwise rare and endangered species.

I was lucky enough to get some seed from the ASI this year from wild collected I. lortetii and I. haynei, plus I have some from Archibalds.  Although Cologne is anything but good for arils, my balcony is southfacing and completely roofed, so I am hoping I can maintain a few species in pots.

[Oron Peri]

Iris mariae usually starts to flower around mid March but it seems we are not going to see it this year dew to the terrible drought,  last week the area where it grows received some good rains but it might be too late to bring it into flower.

[Hans A.]

Yes Jamie, I am growing a second clone of this species and I collected the pollen of the first flower to pollinate the second one (which will be open in a few days) - before trying to obtain a new species I always prefer a second clone of one species I grow allready.
A pollenexchange is a fine thing to keep a species in cultivation but does not make sense for possible reintroductions  in its habitat if you do not know from where the plants are orginated or even worse if they could be contaminated by another species.
I think it will not be easy to keep this wintergrowing species alive in cologne - easier are for sure the more northern species (like Iris iberica elegantissima) as their growingcycle is similar to yours.

[Hans A.]

  Wow Oron - what a breathtaking beauty! 
The clone I grow of this species flowered two years ago the last time - it is not so nice bicoloured form - but I am glad it is growing

[Oron Peri]

Here is a wider view of it's habitat, in the northern part of the Negev desert.

[Hans A.]

Oron, could it be you are a bit sadist...

[Oron Peri]

Look who is talking...
I havnt recovered  yet from some of your Junos....

[Regelian]

Hans,

quite right, with trying to maintain particular populations ex-situ.  I suppose one could keep meticulous records, but the reality is information is often lost.  Still better than loosing the species altogether, and most of the named species are most likely sub-species in reality.  Doesn't change the fact that, when lost, they are gone in their wild form.

On the topic of conservation, though, maintaining stabile populations of species (as currently understood) would certainly relieve much of the pressure for collecting from the wild.  Still, I personally believe collection is less threatening than the state of war in many of their habitats, plus human expansion.  Both are much more dificult to control for the plantsman!

I didn't realize that the southern forms were truly Winter growers. I had thought this was more of an opportunistic event.  I do have good success with many South African Winter species, even in the open garden, as Cologne is very warm for its latitude (Zone 8 ), just very wet.  Of course, this last Winter was the coldest I've experienced in the City, with temps dropping to -15°C for a few nights.  I did loose some Pelargoniums, but many of my Homeria and related actually seemd to benefit, with seed germinating very well.  Clearly, there is a great deal to understand about many of these niche species.

[Miriam]

Beautiful photos Hans and Oron!

Today in my garden-Bareket, an Oncocyclus hybrid with a huge flower (15 cm).
Pretty but there is nothing to compare to the pure species.

[Rafa]

Congratulations to all for this fantastic pictures
Oron, very interesting pictures in wild inhabit, extreme conditions for this species.

[Oron Peri]

Iris petrana is in bloom not far from I mariae in the eastern part of the Negev desert and Jordan. 
Both species grow in similar habitats.
Mostly very dark flowers but there is some variation.

[Oron Peri]

Thanks Rafa,
You are right these are extreme conditions and for that, home to many beautiful bulbous plants.

[Gerdk]

What a sensational plant - Iris mariae  ( Reply # 76) - and what a photo!
It looks like painted!

Thanks for showing this outstanding beauty!

Gerd

[Luc Gilgemyn]

Oron - Really awsome plants and pictures !!!!   
They're incredibly beautiful and definitely ungrowable in rainy Belgium 

Thanks for letting us taste anyway ! 

[Regelian]

I'm sure some with think I'm playing the heretic, but the two species, I. petrana and I. mariae are extremely similar.  Anyone know why they are not considered sub-species?  How far apart are they geographically?  Are their morphologies that distinct?

I particularly like the differences one sees in the beards and signals amongst the petrana series.  The last shot shows a specimen with an almost red-gold signal.