October 2009 in the Southern Hemisphere

[Tecophilaea King]

Don't forget the Pacific Coast Pacifica hybrids, I had to rush outside to quickly take a few more pics, before the rain came down again.
Sorry I have no variety names for them, just a mix lot that I exchanged with another local iris grower.

[kiwi]

The first break in the drizzle, I too shot out into the garden and took a few shots.
1. Fritillaria meleagris
2. Magnolia 'Genie'.
3. Sparaxis tricolor?
4. Arisaema thunbergia var. urashima.
5. Euphorbia 'dixter'.
6. A monster leaved scoliopus bigelowii close to harvest.
7. The borders coming to life!

[Tecophilaea King]

Why don't you jokers (Wim/John) go the whole hog and make it:
"hottentottententententoonstellingsmakersopleidingsprogramma"
which means:the curriculum of an education teaching the makers of exhibitions about the tents of the Hottentots.

Iamsopleasedthatpracicallyallwordsintheenglishlanguage areofamanageablelengthasIhaveheardaboutallthoseextremelylongwordsingermanandnowiseethedutchlangagehassimilarlymonstrouslylongwordsandiunderstandthatsomeofthemareactuallyconcoctedwordsdescribingpeoplesprofessionswhichmoreorlesscontainalltheactivitesinvolvedinthejobstheydowhichissoconfusingtopeoplefromothernations.
 
Isupposemothersuperiorwillthrowkickmeoftheforumnowforgoingofftopicbutwillbesafefornowwhilesheisindreamlandbuildingchocolatecastles

BTW:I love that real trappisten beer when I was home last year and got a little inebriated in the process  

[Tecophilaea King]

OK, a few more of the Pacific Coast Pacifica hybrid irises.

[Tecophilaea King]

The first break in the drizzle, I too shot out into the garden and took a few shots.
4. Arisaema thunbergia var. urashima.

Very nice collection of pictures, and I like that Ariseama thunbergia var.urashima Doug.
Would love to try one if you got one to spare, buy or in exchange for some Tecophilaea or Tropaeolum sp. or other whatever?
Thanks.
BTW: watched the Crusaders made mince meat of Manawatu (the bucket brigade) last night, go the Crusaders !!!.

[Lesley Cox]

Wim and John, I'm not surprised I didn't get the joke, being totallyteetotallyteetotallyteetletotal as I am! Have to admit though Bill, that yours has totally surpassed mine.   Your irises are very nice too.

[Paul T]

Bill,

Lovely PCN Irises.  Some great colours and forms.  Do you hybridise them and grow the seed on?  I'd imagine you would get some fantastic colour combinations out of those if you did.  I have a few PCNs, but not as many as you by the look of it.

[ajbroome]

Folks,

An example of Arisaema thunbergia var. urashima seen at Jenny Mairs place last weekend.

I had a small plant of this but it failed to come back last year.

Andrew.

[WimB]

Why don't you jokers (Wim/John) go the whole hog and make it:
"hottentottententententoonstellingsmakersopleidingsprogramma"

Bill, I don't think you can find that word in "De dikke Vandaele" 

Are those Irisses as small as the DBI's? They look wonderfull.

[Tecophilaea King]

Here is another South American little treasure and again very rare and not well known.
I have only one container of this little beauty, does anyone else grow this? Paul?  
Flowers only last for one or two days after opening, but will be replaced with more flowers for several weeks.

Cypella hauthelii var.opalina

[Paul T]

Bill,

I would be if I could find it!!  What sort of Cypella is this one?  What sort of watering requirements and temps etc?  Given how wide ranging they can be (My C. aquatilis is permanently submerged in a bog garden that is always underwater, while others need a fair amount of drying when dormant), the question needs to be asked!    I've always loved the pics I've seen of this species.

[Tecophilaea King]

Bill, I don't think you can find that word in "De dikke Vandaele"  

Are those Irisses as small as the DBI's? They look wonderfull.

Yes they are and just as colourful Wim, the Pacific Coast Native Iris are beardless irises, and are usually labeled as Pacific Coast Irises (PCI's), Pacificas, or Pacifica Hybrids. They are generally small, compact plants with slender, wiry rhizomes, and narrow grass-like leaves. Most PCIs are evergreen, growing 6 to 24 inches high.

[Tecophilaea King]

Bill,

I would be if I could find it!!  What sort of Cypella is this one?  What sort of watering requirements and temps etc?  Given how wide ranging they can be (My C. aquatilis is permanently submerged in a bog garden that is always underwater, while others need a fair amount of drying when dormant), the question needs to be asked!    I've always loved the pics I've seen of this species.

I am not sure of its origin Paul, I inherited from my mentor/grower and good friend Jim Forrest years ago and again don't know if the botanists have not reclassified into another genus like so many South American species.
I treat it as most iridaceae genera/species, after flowering dry it off and store it in a cool and dry place, etc.

[Tecophilaea King]

A couple of tall bearded irises just coming into flower, again don't know the variety name, another present from a friend.
If anyone could identify, I would be grateful. Thanks.

[Tecophilaea King]

Lovely PCN Irises.  Some great colours and forms.  Do you hybridise them and grow the seed on?  I'd imagine you would get some fantastic colour combinations out of those if you did.  I have a few PCNs, but not as many as you by the look of it.

No I have not done any hybridising yet, to busy with the miniature daffies, but will collect the seed, and see what open pollination by the bees will bring. Nature eventually might surprise me with some hybrid PCI's.