Reticulate Iris 2010

[Lori S.]

Lovely shows, indeed.

...flowering Iris danfordiae two years running-I'm impressed!!

Is that unusual there?  Just curious... of the commonly-available bulbous irises here, I. reticulata & cultivars have better longevity and naturalize better, but I haven't noticed a reluctance to bloom in I. danfordiae... climatic differences?

[David Nicholson]

Lori, it is notorious for breaking down into rice grains after it's first year of flowering. It's said that deep planting (ie 15cm) and heavy feeding helps but that has never worked for me. Given that £2 ish will buy 10 bulbs in most garden centres it's worth re-planting every year.

[Lori S.]

Oh, thanks for the expanation, David.  Perhaps that's what happens when I. danfordiae eventually dies out here (in my experience anyway), though it takes some years.  It does sound likely related to climate/conditions.

[Hristo]

Glad you liked em David. These were planted deep and I wonder if the summer heat / length  of growing season assisted in their flowering for the 2nd year running. We'll see what happens next year!

[Rodger Whitlock]

My Saltspring Island friend, whom I'm sure I've mentioned before, manages to flower Iris danfordiae in a pot, year after year. Knowing his cultural methods, the potting soil is probably generously enriched with manure and compost.

[Hristo]

Now that really is impresive Rodger, I assume he is growing the triploid form?

[Janis Ruksans]

Now that really is impresive Rodger, I assume he is growing the triploid form?

Triploid danfordiae really benefits from deep planting and rich soil.
Janis

[arilnut]

Danfordiae is poking thru now with buds for the 3rd year in a row along with good increase.

John B
in Kansas USA

Lovely show Chris, and flowering Iris danfordiae two years running-I'm impressed!!

[Hristo]

John,three years, great! Is this the triploid form? What conditions are you growing it under?

In the open garden today;
Iris reticulata 'Joyce'
Iris reticulata 'Gordon'
Iris reticulata 'Purple Gem'
Iris winogradowii x 'Sheila Ann Germaney'

The day after;
Iris reticulata 'Halkis'

[arilnut]

Hi Chris. I do not know if it is triploid, bought from Van Engelen.  It is several of the regular
beds outside.

John

[udo]

Nice pictures, Chris!
My first flower from the Reticulata-Section
is a dark form from Iris histrio var.aintabensis

[Luc Gilgemyn]

Some excellent shots Chris !!  Nice clump of "Joyce"

I see you have many more noses poking through Dirk !!

[Hristo]

Cheers Dirk & Luc!
Great to see aintabensis Dirk, very attractive flower, as the story goes, one I had but lost!!

[Gail]

This is the plant I bought as Iris histrioides var. major.  I thought histrioides was meant to leaf after flowering and this looks to me more like one of the Harmony/Joyce type cultivars.  Looking at Dominique's picture from last year http://www.srgc.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=1194.msg34325#msg34325 his looks a shorter plant and petal's more widely spaced.  (Mine is currently 11.5cm tall, flowers around 4.5cm across) Any comments welcome...

[Luc Gilgemyn]

Here's mine Gail - post nr 39

http://www.srgc.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=4834.30

http://www.srgc.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=4834.msg133440#msg133440