Oncos 2011

[arillady]

The hard frost we got a while ago was no good for the buds which did not open. But we have been having quite good weather lately so here are a few that are flowering now.
PT0588
PT0464
PT0438
patch with sun behind
this clump must be mixed as there is this one
and the next and both are labelled Iris mariae
PT0022 - in the front patch
PT0022 - in the back patch  - with a real red in the signal spot with the sun behind
PT0817 - first flowering
All plants have Shahak arils in their background

[Lesley Cox]

What a wonderful life you have Pat, with all these in your garden. They are truly beautiful and look very close to the species, even though hybrids. I envy you. (Snowing heavily here as I type!)

[arillady]

Thanks Lesley. A few more open today after I cut 11 spikes on Friday night for a friend to use in some floral art designs in the style of Contance Spry. I hope someone took photos.
PT0484
PT0454
PT0817 - just opening last time I showed it.
this is possibly the question mark tag. Seems to have regelia in the background. Seed from crosses from between 98 to 01 are in this area. The rotton little snails have been busy.

[art600]

Wonderful flowers and so many...

[Miriam]

Lovely display Pat!

The last one you showed is very interesting!!!
It is probably a Chimera composed of two genetically different types of tissue...this type of Chimera is rare.
Here is a picture of an Iris with Chimera:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/versicolor/2452637589/

More information:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chimera_(plant)

[arillady]

Miriam thanks so much for the links which were really interesting - on checking the iris this afternoon it is only one fall that has the chimera characteristic.
Here are a few more images - some of the labelling seems to be wrong
PT0588 and the clump showing the other earlier flower
PT0407
PT0484
another different flower in the clump which certainly isn't Iris mariae
PT0022 - yet another slightly different flower in the back clump
PT0308 - two different flowers in the clump - the standards in the purply form has a lighter edge which doesn't show so well in the photo
labelled Iris urmiensis yellow form - another mistake it seems???

[Luc Gilgemyn]

Very impressive Pat !!!  

Here's an Onco from the Northern Hemisphere 

This Iris paradoxa out in the garden produced 3 flowers in early April - I found 2 more flowers on July 25th and today (15/08 !!!!!!!) another 2 !    A bit battered by yesterday's rain
I wonder where that will be leading to next season ..... 

[art600]

Still as wonderful....

[Tom Waters]

Luc, aren't they completely dormant this time of year in Belgium?

[Luc Gilgemyn]

They should Tom, they should...   

[Miriam]

Miriam thanks so much for the links which were really interesting - on checking the iris this afternoon it is only one fall that has the chimera characteristic.

Pat, the entire flower is divided into two different parts - half is darker, half is brighter.
Notice that the standards and the style branchs are also different in their colour while comparing the two sides of the flower ( I guess that the falls we can't see in the picture are also different: one is entirely like the darker side, and the other one is entirely like the brighter side).
Here is another nice exampel to Chimera like you have: (it's Anemone coronaria in the wild)
http://flora.huji.ac.il/browse.asp?lang=en&action=thread&t=2172

Luc, wonderful flowers...did you fertilize the plant?

[Luc Gilgemyn]

It was newly planted back in March Miriam- no fertilize applied... 

[arillady]

Luc I have had flowers intermittently on Iris planifolia for months with one just fading now.
Miriam your link shows a very pronounced chimera. The link has also produced a another question. Iris grant-duffii - what can I do NOW to try to produce flowers this or next year. 10 years without a flower is a bit hard - the clump is healthy

[Maggi Young]

10 years without a flower is a bit hard - the clump is healthy

Pat, you'll get no sympathy from me about waiting ten years for an Iris flower, even if that does seem quite a long time.... I'm only just recovering from  the shock of getting the first flowers on one of my Rhodos after nearly thirty years' wait.


 Perhaps the iris is frightened to flower in case you cut them for a flower arrangement? 

[Miriam]

The link has also produced a another question. Iris grant-duffii - what can I do NOW to try to produce flowers this or next year. 10 years without a flower is a bit hard - the clump is healthy

Iris grant-duffii needs full sun, heavy wet rich soil and completly dryness in summer.
In Hebrew it is called the swamp Iris because it grows in seasonal swamps that dry completely in summer.
I would add some compost and fertilizer to make it flower this year.