So, it seems to me that many folks find/join this group because they have NOIDs they want to identify and don't seem to know about the database. I've seen this so much that I'm wondering what percentage of us got here this way.

The reason this struck me was that I found this forum because of the database - I used the database for years before I joined the forum. I was looking at the pictures of the iris to see which I wanted to buy, trying to compare colors and other features. I found this site by chance as it came up on a search when I was looking for a particular plant. I used to read this forum as a lurker. It took me years to decide to join in.

I too used the database for years before joining the forum. I actually used Dave's Garden's database then jumped over to All Thing Plants' database and the AIS wiki. Early on I noticed that Schreiners pictures of their iris were more colorful than what ending up blooming in my garden so the database became indispensable for seeing the true range of bloom color. I never buy anything now without looking up the iris first on the wiki and iris databases (unless it is an intro that I want and doesn't have a registered picture yet).

This is how I joined too...except I just really got into irises last year, so I was really only using the database for about a year before joining.

Also so true Leslie. I think I mentioned before I fell into the Brecks trap and their photos are even worse than Schreiners!

LOL! It was the Schreiner's photos for me too.

Schreiner's photos are definitely unreliable. I think Mid-America's photos are good as are ARUBA's photos in the database.

So many newbies on facebook have fallen into the Brecks trap. However iris people do their best to catch up beforehand & people are saved. I have been using the AIS site as I know quite a few of the hybridizers from attending iris conventions. I miss them very much--the last we used was 2016 in NJ.

Same as you guys. I did then and I do now look at all the pictures in this database and AIS site before buying an Iris. I consider the best it could end up being (best picture) and the worst it could end up being(worst picture) and then decide if I really want it. My thirst for information on green Irises pulled me into the Forums and I too lurked and lurked till I just could lurk no more.

I found the database first and then joined the forum. The forum has been a great source of information and I've to make some friends along the way

Glad that you are all here. fun & happy that you all are putting up with a median iris person. But I did send in my 25 favorite TBs so there is that information also. Should all the AIS form members list those? I don't know how to start a thread, but if started would list those.

I submitted my 25 most favorite TBs on the TB Symposium ballot, too. It won't be counted unless you submit it to the designated officer of your AIS numbered region. AIS posted the name of mine (the VP for the region, as I seem to recall), but did not list his mailing address, so I had to call him to get it. Then I printed out my ballot, checked off my 25 favorites and snail-mailed it to him in May or June.

AIS is way too slow in tallying the results of the TB Symposium ballots. Judging from past years, the results won't get posted in the AIS Bulletin until the winter bulletin comes out in early spring, and the results won't be made public online until next March or April. Way too slow! They need to speed up their act considerably. The slowness on this was the main reason I went for a year without renewing my dues. I figured if they can be this slow to post ballot results, then I can be slow to renew my dues.

John & I signed up for a AIS life membership in AIS. Bargin. Just h ave to worry about section memberships.

Daisy - they are very short handed, they volunteer and don't get paid for tally counting, and all have jobs. Many are hybridizers and vendors and are also really busy right now with sales, and shipping out orders. Give them a break if it takes a bit of time to finish the count. Give them a break that it also takes time to get the results ready to post along with photos and such. Your delaying your dues just slows the process because then they have no funds to get results printed and posted online and in Irises. If this was their full time job it would be quicker but then dues would have to increase to pay for tally counters.

Interesting.

I asked on my NOIDS because I have looked at the databases and can't come to an agreement on what I am growing, as to me some are very similar and I'm still learning where I can look for answers, nuances and clues on the plant. And the reason they are NOIDS is I wasn't as into keeping names of my flowers when I started out, mom and dad never did as I was growing up, at the time I was a new homeowner and new mom, and I never thought to keep names until I joined here and wanted to keep my dahlias straight. And the other reason I asked on my NOIDS, as there are a lot of peeps on this site who have such quick eyes to find all the differences in the blooms, have grown them and know the names of what I could possibly narrow my blooms down to and refine my search. 💐

I view gardening as this - one giant classroom where we learn on our own, learn from others who have BTDT and maybe it will work in my garden, learn from the plants and grow all together including with the plants we love or we feel we need in our lives. I've met plenty of kind and helpful peeps on this site who share my excitement on the blooms I'm growing and perhaps offer up an idea of where I can look and for that I'm grateful. And with time and observation, hope to feel more confident in saying "yep, that's the one".

Oh look. The AIS has listed their 2022 winners! Football Hero won the Dykes!

Wow!

Lestv said: Oh look. The AIS has listed their 2022 winners! Football Hero won the Dykes!

I think it is great to have Lynda win since it is usually the "big" names.

Love Breakfast In Bed that won for MTB. Congrats to our Lucy for her honorable mention!!!

Leslie, where do you see the AIS 2022 results posted? I don't see it in he summer bulletin, nor in their list of annual AIS awards on the web site. Can you provide a link?

Thank you, Leslie.

I bought my Iris's from Schreiners as well. They turned out amazing. I used the database for a long time before I posted in the forums. I liked the layout of the database pages, some info is hard to find though. I like the plant list as well, its very useful.

https://wiki.irises.org/Main/I...