Pacific Coast Iris

[Diane Whitehead]

will be interesting to see what a selfing results in.  Who knows how complex it's parentage is.

I agree that it is worthwhile to sow seeds, whether deliberately crossed or
open-pollinated.

Irises are not set up to be easily selfed - the stamens are tucked in underneath
the stigmatic flaps. Not like flowers that drop their pollen all over the stigma. Of
course, if there were a number of flowers on the one plant, and bees were buzzing
about from flower to flower, it  could have been selfed by the bees.

[Otto Fauser]

another bunch of seedlings (not my arm ), plus 2 varieties that have been growing in my garden for over50 years . The crimson one has much more narrower segments than the more recent hybrids. The yellow flowered plant I believe to be the species I innominata , a dwarf plant with very narrow foliage . Could someone who is more knowledgeable than I please confirm it - thanks  otto.

[Diane Whitehead]

Looks like innominata to me, Otto.

Here's a wild one to compare.

[Paul T]

All very nice, Otto and Diane.  Such a cool type of iris, aren't they. 

[Otto Fauser]

thanks Diane , yes the photo of I. innominata taken in the wild corresponds with the plant in my garden .

[Regelian]

Diane,

do you have PCIs growing in your area?  As I understand, this would be outside of their natural distribution, but they may have since established themselves.  I'm asking, as I am looking for seed from particularly winterhardy species populations.  At the moment, I am growing some hybrids from seed with great success (mainly from seed ex, which is typically hybrid seed)  and wanted to get a bit more serious with a breeding program aimed for hardiness.  Unlike most hybridizers, I plan to follow toward narrower, more spidery forms with clear colour and patterns.  As much as the wider petaled blossoms impact have, I find narrower floral parts bring a delicate note often missing in the modern garden.  Tastes are different.

I just joined the SPCNI, which was new to me.  There are so many interesting specialist groups out there.  If not for this forum, I wouldn't have found this one.

Otto, your I. innominata has a great clear colour.  The veining is less prominent than most wild clones I've seen fotos of.  I hope you can set seed on it.  Apparently, this is an extremely fecund group of iris where hybrids and gradations are common in the wild.  Quite exciting....and a taxonomists nightmare! 

Jamie

[Diane Whitehead]

No, none here. The most-northern iris, tenax, grows to a bit south of Seattle, but
I don't know of anyone growing it here as we all seem to prefer ones with
evergreen foliage.

[brianw]

A friend of mine has a number of largish clumps of seed grown “pacific coast type” Iris hybrids, now in seed. These resulted from just 2 plants. “Broadleigh Rose” and (I think) “Pinewood Sunshine”, and range in colour through white – yellow – pinks – purples - blues etc. 1 or 2 similar to the parents but many quite different.

The question is when would it be best to split these large clumps to establish elsewhere in the garden, and in pots for wider distribution? My own experience is very mixed with this type of Iris, and I have seen many plants in gardens, some very well known, that did not make it after planting out.

All I have found on the forum so far is Diane’s advice for the west coast
http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=882.msg83911#msg83911

Any other comments for the south east of England? How big should each section be? Many of the clumps would divide into 10 or more individual plants, roots allowing.

[Michael J Campbell]

I divide them quite successfully about the end of September or early October and they all flower very well the next summer. Individual plants will be successful. I think you will loose them if you do it now,but others might have a different opinion.

[PeterT]

divide in automn, big divisions are best, they like to be potted or planted in coarse garden compost.  Hot dry conditions will prevent successfull rooting

[brianw]

I will pass on the advice, and see what gets through to next summer. Thanks.

Off at a slight tangent; I have 3 times tried to establish the white form of Iris unguicularis, without success. All bought from Avon bulbs. The last time bought potted and was advised to plunge the pot until growing well and then lift and remove the pot and replant. I did just that and it still died. The normal named blue forms have never been a problem.

[PeterT]

you are not alone, Walter Butt behaves this way for me. Try planting against a wall and mulch with two inches of gravel... using a pot in a plunge to start the rooting certainly works for me. Again I put a layer of gravel on top of the pot.

[fermi de Sousa]

 These PCI have just started to flower - I think they are more of the mixed seed which I received from Diane W. many years ago!
Thanks again, Diane - and no, none of the 'Pacific Rim' ones made it to flowering size
cheers
fermi

[fermi de Sousa]

This is one that we've had for awhile and came labelled as 'Big Money'
and a cluster of the earlier seedlings from the seeds I got from Diane W,
cheers
fermi

[daveyp1970]

Can i just give everybody the heads up,the Society for Pacific Coast Native Iris has just put up there new seed list,there are some fantastic things on there.

 Added by maggi :   http://www.pacificcoastiris.org/