As many of you know, the May plant swap is the wrong time for irises, as they're in the middle of blooming or budding at that time! So get your extra irises labeled (and photographed if you can) and get ready to swap them July 15th at 3pm, at an address in Skokie. The address will be given soon.

This article has excellent info on digging up, checking and transplanting irises. The checking them part is to avoid giving someone iris borers, so do check for that! :)
http://faq.gardenweb.com/discu...

For labeling:
Irises can be labeled right on the base with Sharpie, but it will fade away as soon as 6 weeks (probably later). I know this from procrastinating on doing the digging last year! Having this iris swap will get those irises moved before it fades.
You can also make up a label (perhaps using old venetian blinds, with the convenient slot for the twine) and attach it low on the flower stalk with a twist-tie or twine. Then of course there's the challenge of figuring out which non-blooming plants belong to which color!

Info I record for irises, but I'm an amateur and others doubtless can educate me:
Bloom size (small, medium, large etc.)
Color of crown and falls (light lavender, medium lavender, deepest purple, bright yellow...)
Ruffles if any
Height of blooms (I estimate, I don't bring out a tape measure!)
Scent if any
Name if it is known (none of mine have names, the one I actually bought wasn't the right iris!)
How early it blooms
This year I am giving each color a letter according to when it blooms (A is the earliest, etc). I tend to go with Very Early, Early, Mid, Late, Very Late.

Again, this is just what I find useful, I'd love to hear what others want to know.

I'll start posting the irises I have extra of after the big swap, and as I get more photographed.

Seedrat this s a great idea for a Saturday for me anyway. This is a good way to expand our Iris collection.

I'm interested but probably can't make a Saturday, unless it's one of my rare Saturdays off. But I'll keep watching this thread. Thanks for the idea of it plus organizing it, Seedrat.

Looks interesting. I would love to participate. Last saturday of the month may not work for me but any other saturdays would be fine. Any other days also might work for me.

Seedrat

This is a great idea - I have a bunch of lilies I think - orange flowers that I can give away.
I will post the picture when they flower.

Hi everyone, we've picked a date when we can have it in Oerickson's beautiful garden. It will be either Sat or Sun, July 15 or 16. I was thinking 3 in the afternoon would be a good time; people would have time for a morning activity and then get to the swap, then time for an evening thing or preparing for the coming week, whichever day we might pick it to be on. This swap would be for 2 hours at the most, and it's primarily going to be those people who check in here.

So, who would prefer Saturday, and who would prefer Sunday?

Seedrat, either one is good for me. We can go with the majority in regards to preference and the host preference of course

either one is good for me too it looks unless something unexpected comes at that time.

Leaning more towards sunday but saturday is fine as well.

Hi All

Here are my flowers in full bloom.
If anyone needs some I can bring them..

Sen

Let's do this on Saturday July 15, everyone, at 3pm. That way there's time for fun before and after--maybe at CBG for people like Mike in Hazelcrest!

I found this article mentions what I do know about transplanting irises, plus plenty I didn't know. Sorry to direct people off this site, but it's a good post.
http://faq.gardenweb.com/discu...

I will probably put the irises in a bag (I get my mom to save her newspaper plastic bags for me) to keep the roots a bit moist, but I may do this immediately before the swap and may not add any dirt to them.

Please me sure to label the colors!

JQSen, thanks for offering the orange lilies, I have plenty in my yard myself. If no one else speak up, don't feel you have to bring something to come for irises, there are some colors that spread faster than others in my yard and I have a lot. Are you interested in purple bearded irises, or purple and yellow?

Seedrat love your thinking. I am in. Did you want me to bring you some of the Pestasites Japonicus Variegatum ?

bearded iris purple and yellow looks interesting. I would love some if you have extra to spare.

I have lavender Iris and light yellow one. But very limited quantity. I will post pic later. Are other plants allowed?

Am not sure we have some set rules on other plants. Generally for myself I do not like to transplant anything in the middle of the summer ...
OTOH if people keep moving plants around and you have something sitting in the pot...?

If Oerickson is ok with other types of plants, how about it's ok to bring them, but if the plants don't find a new home, people will bring them home again when they leave ? That way she doesn't have to try to keep them alive and find homes for them after the swap.

Mike in H, I would love a small pot of your petasites, thank you!

Everyone, we may be sending the swap's address using the private messages here, so please everyone check to make sure they get an alert in their normal emails when they're sent a Treemail. Thanks!


Also, if anyone has red or white iris that they're planning to bring, please set a little aside for me

Seedrat - Thank you - I would love some purple bearded irises and the yellow ones.
I do not have iris in my garden so any colors are welcome.

I would love some red ones as well if anyone is bringing.

Anyone collecting succulents? I have been fascinated by them. But have not had luck growing them.
If anyone has extra succulents that they are chopping off, I would love to take them and give them a home.

Looking forward to meeting you all soon.
Sen

JQSen, I have purple, I have light yellow, and I have iris that are purple and medium yellow together. All of those I have plenty of, then I'll see what else goes to the swap as I start digging Do you want some of all three?

Seedrat - Yes please. I can take all 3. Much appreciated.
Few questions -
1. Do they need sun, shade or a mix of both?
2. Do they spread fast?

I am trying to pick out a spot - so answers will be helpful.
Sen

May I know what is the best thing to do with Iris? Digging before the swap or digging early and potting up?

jqsen, I think Iris would do good in sunny location. They may not bloom in shade but i am not sure.