Juno (Scorpiris) season 2011

[arillady]

Great to see the Junos starting to flower again in the northern hemisphere. When you only have as small collection it is good to see what else is being grown and to add to a 'wants' list.

[David Nicholson]

Noses showing now in 6 of my Juno pots.

[Hans A.]

This year could be a very good Juno season - actually we have dry weather and a lot of sun. Last year I had problems as it was very wet during flowering season which caused serious problems with botrytis especially on Iris persica.
Two more, another Iris persica and Iris stenophylla ssp. allisonii

[BULBISSIME]

Lucky you are Hans !
Here, it's only second day full sun !!!
still no new Juno flowers but they will appreciate light and warm....

[Juan Fornes]

Hans: as always, your pics are amazing. Your I. persica is simply awesome.
My second I. palaestina has opened its flower completely today (withered one can be seen behind it). Also, I send a pic of medium used for its potting: thatīs how it looks like and Iris seem quite happy in it. Letīs see how they develope...

[David Nicholson]

Very nice indeed Juan.

[BULBISSIME]

Thank's for pics and informations Juan.
Personaly, I can't use humus rich soil as they rot too easyly.
Great if you have success with it.

[Luc Gilgemyn]

Looks very healthy Juan, but as Fred pointed out, we couldn't get away with this much humus in the mix over here !

[David Nicholson]

I think I have more grit and sand than compost in my mix.

[Hans A.]

Thanks Fred and Juan!
Beautyful healthy plants Juan!

Actually I also try to grow some Junos (Iris cycloglossa) in a mix rich in humus  in a pot, the bulbs themselves are planted in a 10 cm mineralic layer without any contact with the humus - will see if it works. 

[Regelian]

I've tried the same thing in a few pots.  Bottom a humus/sand/split mix followed by a layer of split.  Then I planted the root stock direct ontop and filled the pot with ceramis or split.  The theory is clear; enough nutrients and water, should the plant want it, but the root stock is above the 'water table'.  Until now, the bulbs look very good, showing healthy green shoots at the moment.  Thos in the gravel garden have not done as well, despite excellent drainage.  Obviously not excellent enough!

[BULBISSIME]

Hans, Iris cycloglossa is a very special Juno...
I grow it outside in the garden with lot of rain all over the year, + feeding, and it grows and flowers well.
I think it's the only one to like water    and rich humus.
Nevertheless, I also think that it's better to give the nutriments at the bottom and to keep the root in a very well drained mixture.

[Hans A.]

Thanks Fred, this was what I had thought when I saw the wonderful clump in Kew (http://www.srgc.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=2916.msg92445#msg92445) - a superb species!

[PeterT]

I have grown bucharica in peat based compost but only the easy bicolour form. It's roots stayed in growth all year, it grows in the ground but only where there is a lot of gravel. I grow cycloglossa in pots where I can water them at least every two days. I aucheri also seems to need extra water in growth.
Hans your persicas are wonderfull and so is your fosteriana.
Juan your palaestina is a joy to see, with all that air from the perlite in your compost I think it may work. I have not much experiance with palaestina but planifolia seems  quite tolerant. I think you will have to be carefull not to over water though!
I wish I could see that hillside in Herat!

[Juan Fornes]

  And the third I. palaestina to flower in the same pot! Thank you all for your encoraging  words about them, but Iīm afraid Iīm quite far from getting such a show as Hanīs! By the way, Hans: becareful with weather forecast: snow will be as low as 200 m. in Mallorca...