October 2010 in the Southern Hemisphere

[angie]

I couldn't pick a favourite I like them all so much .

Angie

[arilnut]

The Pacific Coast iris seedlings popping up everywhere, just a few more to enjoy.

Hi Bill. You really should register these with the AIS and introduce them into commerce.
They are GEORGOUS.

John B

[TheOnionMan]

Bill, I dream of PCI iris, and all that you show are mouth watering, thanks for showing them.  I particularly like the yellow and red types. PCI seedling 2-4 are truly special.

[annew]

Lovely irises, Bill. I saw an exhibition of paintings of these at the RHS and had to look at them through a magnifying glass to see so many wonderful colours in each flower.

[Lesley Cox]

Bill are you growing the PCs from your own seed and breeding them or is there a commercial source in Australia/NZ? I haven't seen anything like these in the South Island. Will be in touch privately re Scoliopus/Iris minutoaurea.

[Tecophilaea King]

Bill, I dream of PCI iris, and all that you show are mouth watering, thanks for showing them.  I particularly like the yellow and red types. PCI seedling 2-4 are truly special.

Mark, I am pleased you appreciate and enjoyed these fascinating, versitile PCI seedlings I have shown so far, and hopefully when they set seed, (especially the yellow and red types you mentioned), I am more than happy that I could return the favour with some of these PCI seeds as a possible exchange.
In New Zealand and especially the North Island we are lucky to have one or two very keen, knowledgable, mainly amateur breeders and growers of the Iris includind the PCI's, I also grow a few PCI seedlings I selected myself, that may look promising, and perhaps pick for futher consideration.

[Tecophilaea King]

Bill are you growing the PCs from your own seed and breeding them or is there a commercial source in Australia/NZ? I haven't seen anything like these in the South Island. Will be in touch privately re Scoliopus/Iris minutoaurea.

Lesley, its a combination of buying/acquiring plants and seed (and the exchanges) of the mainly local growers and friends in the BoP, Waikato and Auckland, and other parts of NZ.
Here in the Bay of Plenty we have one of the largest, most enthusiastic and knowledgeable Iris group belonging to the NZ Iris society, we have regular shows and meetings at the members residence, and was fortunately enough to entertain this local group at our place last Sunday, members often bring along various Iris and irids flowers for competition, sometimes seed, we have discussions and generally enjoy ourselves.
If I have any seed to spare, along with other local growers, I might contribute some seed to the NZ Iris Society seed pool, and/or share with other members.
Anyway, will send you that promised small clump of the Iris minutoaurea species tomorrow, and hope it will grow well and produce flowers for you.
And don't forget that mere piece of Scoliopus bigelovii when its dormant
BTW: are you a member of the NZIS?

[Tecophilaea King]

This is the same charming little Iris lacustris alba a few days later, does anyone know if this species sets seed if any?

[Tecophilaea King]

Two more beautiful PCI seedlings showing colour the last couple of days

[Paul T]

Bill,

Those two are dead ringers for named varieties here in Aus.  The white one here is 'Flotilla', and I can't recall at the moment what the other one is.  'Endless something-or-other', but I can't remember the rest of it...... or is that the burgundy and mauve one?  Anyway, it is interesting to see your seedlings that match in appearance others that I already have here.

[Luc Gilgemyn]

Seedling 11 is another stunner Bill ! 

[Lesley Cox]

Thanks Bill, I'll look forward to your little parcel and will duly send some Scoliopus when ready, probably summer will be best. I've not divided it before and it has never set seed though I know some others do. So it will be a learning cueve for me, the division, I mean. Yes, I do belong to NZIS, have done since I was 17, so 50 years, and my mother gave me a life membership when in my early 20s. The South Cant group has always been very good and active (Brian Harris and Gwenda Harris are members and both very encouraging) but the Otago group when I moved to Dunedin spent any occasional meeting deciding what to do at the next meeting, and that seemed never to be anything more than have a cup of tea and a gossip. I couldn't afford whole afternoons on such stuff and gave up in disgust so don't go to any group meetings now. They may be better now, maybe not.

[Tecophilaea King]

Today I visited another nursery in Hamilton, specialising in one of my favourite classes, the beautiful, charming Pacific Coast irises.
Most of these PCI hybrid seedlings are still under number, but was informed a number of these will be registered and released shortly, I can't wait, something to look forward to
Hopefully, I might be able to exchange or buy some of that valuable seed, keep fingers crossed.
Enjoy.

[Tecophilaea King]

Just a few more.

[Tecophilaea King]

Not sick of the Pacific Coast irises yet?