WOW, those 6 new seedlings you added are AMAZING!!!
#17 was an instant favorite. Well.......so were they all! lol.
Thanks for the photos of the parents, I can see the similarities....yet they're so different!
Steve
Tall Bearded Seedlings - possiblities of what can be
Margie - you never fail to amaze. Beauty after beauty after...........
I think that the young people don't think of Bearded Iris because of what is available in the large discount stores where they do their shopping. You can only do so much Batik. Also the mass vendors like Dutch Gardens sell old prize winners rather than some of the really new and exciting iris. Beverley Sills just doesn't perform well for me.
I also think that it's a problem in the population as a whole - at least here in California. People are amazed at my iris - they haven't seen anything like them. Everyone is shocked that many have a beautiful scent and that you can use them in flower arrangements.
My friend who is a landscaper also told me that they have 'ugly' foliage except when they are in bloom. Doesn't seem to stop daffodil growing though. I don't know if this was personal taste or whether he learned it in landscape school.
And lastly, I think that we are in a hurried age where most people want gardens that are as carefree as possible. People don't want to be dividing iris.
What the answers to these problems are I don't know. Except more exposure to some really fabulous plants in person. Have you heard any good ideas?
LOVE #20 ! Put me on your advance sales list, please!
sharon
Margie, they are all absolutely wonderful and I'm now addicted to this thread and keep coming back for another drool. I think #14 is so pretty and elegant despite its pale colouring.
Thank you for sharing all your lovely pictures.
Terri
Doss, I can see your point concerning the popularity of iris. I didn't discover how many beautiful ones were out there until last year. I had only seen variations of purple, lavender, yellow and white, and of course Beverly Sills. By the way, I read that old Bev was the top selling iris last year at Schreiners.
Wanda sent me my first 4 iris last year, and since then my husband and I have collected at least three hundred different varieties. We have acreage, and we planted iris and dayllilies in the field so they would have plenty of room.
We've experienced the same thing with other people-they are amazed at the different varieties. Margie mentioned that rebloomers were the wave of the future, and I think that's true. It did bother me that most iris were relatively short-lived, so I'm ordering mostly rebloomers this year.
As far as turning on young people to iris, someone would have to make an iris video game.;-) And figure out how to get them outside away from the games.
Sandy
A friend just gave me an article from the New York Times. Tony Avent said, "If you're a kid in England and you're not interested in Gardening, your parents take you to a psychiatrist to find out why. If you're a kid in the United States and you're interested in gardening, your parents take you to a psychiatrist to find out why."
I really don't think that people understand that there are plants beyond the general big sellers and the local nurseries that will make their gardens so much more interesting. I am always making my local nursery crazy by asking them for something that they don't have. I have finally given up and buy on-line because they really aren't set up for special orders. Too bad too. I want to keep my local nursery in business.
Hope that this isn't too far afield Margie.
Terri,
I've been watching Seedling #14. The falls slowly fade over 3 days. By the last day the falls (instead of maintaining the pale lavender) are a creme color with the same distinct lines on the falls. I'll try to take a photo tomorrow to show you. But - - one very good characteristic is that it has beautiful branching with up to 5 buds blooming at one time. And there are lots of buds. (9-10 on a stalk.) It a vigourous, yet elegant, strong healthy grower. After I post how the color on the falls fade - - let me know if you still like it, OK?
~ Margie
Seedling # 20 is more unusual than I thought. It (at least this year - - it's first year opened even) has falls that on the second day - - that hang/will fall straight down. I'm not sure what I think of this. It does cause the falls to be even more noticable.
Another look at Seedling #20
Here's a better picture. See how the falls really show off all they've got when they do this?
seedling #20
Here is a new seedling today.
Seedling #22
Margie, are you sure that #20 isn't part Arilbred?
Your seedlings are endless beautiful.
This message was edited Apr 12, 2006 5:30 PM
Doss - - I'm positive it itsn't part arilbred. The seedling just below it - #22 is a sibling. The old TB falls use to do something like this ..........way, way back ..........before people began to hybridize with them. I believe it's an old genetic trait showing up. But......... you are right - - it kind of reminds me of arilbreds too (except it is much straighter of a fall and no curve to it.) Besides it resembles it's parents too much.
I'll show you more of it's siblings.
This is a sibling to the unusual one. A closer view of it when it was first opening. Click to see the details.
seedling #22
This message was edited Apr 12, 2006 5:37 PM
Here is another sibling to the unusual one.
Seedling #23
Dorothy, I enjoyed your comments about why young people may not be interested in growing irises.. all of those reasons - - I agree with totally. (but, I haven't any real answers).
And the quote......... "If you're a kid in England and you're not interested in Gardening, your parents take you to a psychiatrist to find out why. If you're a kid in the United States and you're interested in gardening, your parents take you to a psychiatrist to find out why." .......... is funny as well as interesting. Whether the quote is true or not - todays society does not encourage gardening of any kind!
The people here in the US need exercize more than ever - not only to keep fit, but to relieve stress, and add dimensions to their life. It clears the head and is a healthy, fun hobby. It really is a shame - - that the press does not put as much emphasis on the art of gardening as it does on sports. Not everyone one is cut out for sports. (That's my opinion of course. ;-D )
~ Margie
And a good opinion at that. Isn't it funny to get a flashback many generations to something like the dropped falls? Genetics are so interesting. It must be recessive to show up like that.
Sandy,
Wow - - how nice you have acreage to plant all those varieties. Space is what I could use right now.
It's funny that 'Beverly Sills' is so high on Schreiners top seller's list. It is quite lovely - - but it doesn't grow that well for me either. It must a colder-climate kind-of-an-iris.
A video game may be a good idea - if they would buy an "Iris" video game. It may have to be sold as a create our own world and your own plants game, or something like that....................to reach a wider audience. But............I do like the idea!! You are probably on to something there.
~Margie
It must be recesive by now, Dorothie. So far - - that one unusual iris is the only one out of all it's siblings doing that. But I have a few more of it's siblings due to open and bloom yet this year. I also have more baby seedlings of that cross that germinated this year, so I'll be planting those too just to see what other patterns may develop. :-) It's so fun!
~ Margie
margie ~ #20 & #22 are beautiful!!!! i really love #20.
belinda
You've done it again Margie!
I must say I really like the lighter coloured ones like, #17, #18, #21 and #23.
An iris video game is an interesting idea, but if one was ever made I don't think it would have to do with gardening though.....The hero would probably just be called Iris and maybe would have to collect the plant which has some sort of power or something silly like that....
Steve
Wow, 20 is very interesting. It is hard to believe that all of those are siblings - from the same seed pod do you mean? Not so surprising that me and my sisters are so different!
I think gardening really gives one an appreciation for nature and an interest in conserving the earth. Introducing young people to gardening would seem to be a positive in many ways...
Sharon
I am trying my best, I have 4 children. Only 2 really enjoy it. Thank goodness my son is willing to do the tug work! My oldest has always been a career girl but now with her own place she is interest in flowers and landscaping.
This is a dwarf that was given to me. Can some ID it please.
Thanks
#16,17&18 are just lovely. 16 certainly is an eye popper.
Margie--just had a chance to pop in and check out your seedlings. Great work! Love #3, #12 and that stunning #20.
bluegrass Mom--could it be Stitch Witch?
Bluegrassmom - - wish I could help - - but I haven't a clue when it comes to Dwarfs. Sorry.
Steve, I see you really DO go for the lighter ones. They do seem to have a nice feel about them. Do you have any more suggestions for names on some of these latest seedlings?
Sharon - yes, 20, 22, and 23 are all siblings. And that is correct - - they are from seeds that came from one pod. That is why it is so fun to cross irises because the seeds from just ONE pod can yield so many different results. Recessive genes can arise (and even more so if you cross the siblings to another sibling, or back to one of it's parent.)
Wanda - - #20 is quite unusual and it has a lot of buds too! I think because it is soooooo unusual - I may just have to register and introduce it. It's diffinitely on my mind - -so we'll see. :-) It won't be this year though............it's just brand new (maiden bloom) and needs to grow more increases.
~Margie
* This one is a sibling to #18 * It has the same metalic / luminous sheen. It opened yesterday.
Seedling # 24
I have a couple of Tazzy's seedlings that I'm watching. I can see whay you breed them--what a thrill when something new comes!
Oh Wanda - - nothing comes close to the surprise element involved with seedlings. Some bloom and they are so awful, or so common place - - and then there are those that can "knock your socks off" and leave you dancing all day. LOL
~Margie
Another speckled one has opened.
Seedling 25
That is a beauty! Does it take 2 years before they bloom?
Yes bluegrassmom, ........usually it DOES take 2 and a half years to bloom (when you plant the seeds in fall). Sometimes they can bloom in 1 and 1 half years if all the conditions are right. :-) After the seeds germinate in the spring - most people will put the baby seedlings into the ground that spring. And then it takes 1 to 2 years (usually 2 yrs.) for it's first maiden bloom.
~ Margie
I was hoping for some nice red seedlings. Most that have opened from this other different cross were ugly looking, and ugly colored - - like mud. But this one is pretty nice. It's not really red, but has some red coloring to it. I'll keep it another year and see what it does. I'm hoping the form improves some.
seedling # 26
This message was edited Apr 14, 2006 10:13 PM
That is a nice red. I know what you mean about muddy. I have a few older ones that are almost ugly. I don't know why I don't compost them. Just sentimental I guess. I hate trashing flowers, I just usually give them away.
Margie
I look forward to you introducing these.
You are getting quite a good form, branching and coloration.
Denise
Denise, you are out there in Iris Heaven aren't you. Are you close to any of the big growers?
Wow! I hope my eventual crosses turn out as good as yours Margie!
I'm going to eat my breakfest at the computer and see what new names I can come up with! And, what would happen if I crossed 2 of the same variety of iris?
Steve
#20 'Tiger's Eye'
#22 'Lady in Lavender'
#24 'Think of Me'
#25 'Carmel Ripple'
Steve
Bluegrass mom, yes I am in iris heaven. Lets see I go every two weeks to Mid America, Keith Keepel and Schreiners once or twice to Cooleys and then to several hybridizers homes that do not have commerical gardens...Love it
D
Teresa, yes, Denise is out here in Iris Heaven. Matter of fact she is right in the middle of it! LOL
This is a pick of my 2 little guys in Denise's back yard.........Snowpeak Iris and Daylilies: http://www.snowpeakiris.com/index.htm
Sorry for the hijack, Margie. ;o)
Okay, call this a silly question but if you get different flowers each seed in one pod then how do you reproduce the ones you like? Are they all "grown" off the seedling? Please help cause I am confused.
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