Interesting data. I started buying irises in 2006, That year I bought 10, and here's what happened since!
2006 - 10
2007 - 48
2008 - 104 Found out that Schreiners aren't the only iris vendors!
2009 - 43
2010 - 26
2011 - 28 I was being quite sensible AND THEN !!
2012 - 68 This is the year I joined ATP
2013 - 107 Notice the trend here?? Any cause/effect possibilities?
2014 - 178 and counting!

Grand total 612! OMG I've been telling people I have a little more then 500! Now they will think I'm a lier! This doesn't include any that died out or that I culled out, as they are no longer in my data base.
Anyone else have some data like this to share!!!

Tom, my totals have gone in the opposite direction sometimes due to tornadoes moving me and crown fires destroying barns and more moving about. I have always had irises, bought a few, shared a few, begged a few, but in the seventies I found a lady in south AR that grew irises and sold named varieties to support her habit. I took my, then two, children and we went to select a few..... we had room for a dozen. We bought some of each sixty-seven varieties. I was over the moon. Needless to say that was the tornado house and I relocated and brought some irises, both children, with me. The irises dwindled, the children grew. I recouped and re-grew, had more children, made new gardens then another relocation due to fire. the irises dwindled, the children grew. Brought a few iris, all children, and relocated. (Dam, I sound like a gypsy writing this) Anyway, long story short, too late, I am here with some weary irises, children off to seek their fortune, and one pug dog. About ten years ago I was given a dwarf iris and a new love affair began..... in earnest! Now I have a lot of dwarfs, still have my battle weary TB's, and I feel like it is time once and for all to satiate this yearning for irises. Finally let the world know what a nut I am. Come out of the iris closet and shout to the world "Bring me your rhizomes!!!".

I probably should not post until the moon goes down and I have a bit of sanity showing. LOL

Too soon to tell for me, Tom. But I sure made an investment this year! About 20 purchased last year, and my final tally isn't in for this year. About 150, I think. Considering your list, I don't think there's any chance I'll be a contender!

I think that joining this iris-nut group has had something to do with it!

(the CA drought has been something of a limiting factor - I doubt I'll be ordering more next year if we don't get some rain!).

I have only been reading these other posts for a bit over a year now..... about the time my iris withdrawal set in last summer and I was surfing the net to find anything, ANYTHING, on irises. I am in good company and not nearly as far 'round the twist' as others. That makes me somewhat sane!

And I would never think you are a lier Tom. I would never think anyone is a lier! What's a lier?? (from one fumble fingers to another LOL!) Tom, I encourage you to get more, grow more, share more.... LOL! thank you for enabling my addiction!

Very difficult not to get more. I think I am safe from too many TBs. (note: we are trying to cut back because of age). But then, new seedlings bloom . We need the room to line them out.

Note off the topic: Report just in that turkey has taken her dust bath in one of the beds. Must check for iris out of place.

my question is..... will turkey last until Thanksgiving or will dinner be early this year?

Bonnie!

Tom: I know for a fact that joining this site has enabled me. I got a whopping 86 cultivars from trades/postage/surprise boxes!!!!!

Which is why I sent last night skimming sod off for a new raised garden bed.

Well, I don't need a lot of encouragement to get more it seems. Barring an invasion by rabbits, or rot next spring, I should have one of my best bloom years ever. One never knows as a lot of things can happen over winter, and what kind of winter we have remains to be seen.

video at the library for the locals. they don't always know garden treasures.

I have decided, named iris are unlimited. I don't have enough land for them all and I am far too thrifty to get super crazy. I will just have to mix up my own! I am so looking forward to hybridizing. And fortunately, I love old historics. They have a limited number.

Look what you've done to me. Yes, you. You have picked me up when I have been down, encouraged me when I have been discouraged, commiserated with me at a loss, even the loss of an iris, sent me replacement irises and extras to go with it, shared your newest prized varieties with me, sent me irises for no reason – just because, let me have an opinion and express it, had patience with my lack of knowledge, let me stumble through posts and not criticized, shared your expertise with me, laughed with me, stayed up late and got up early with me….. YOU are guilty of all of the above…..what can I say but…. thank you.

It hasn't rained in months here (just a few drops once) - but I've been investing in iris futures! Now that's optimism!

Bonnie, you are such an author! You need to start writing a few books. lol, You're right, this group is very supportive in lots of ways, and I am so glad I found this bunch to knock around with in the cyber world.

Beautifully put Bonnie!

And Jan...I like that...I think I need to do some more investing...the market is booming thanks to people like this crazy lot, and the future of irises is looking bright! So let's all join Jan and invest in some more iris futures!!!!

I agree with Tom, Bonnie you need to be published.

So I can grow all of you in my yard, I need each of you to send me a limb If you can't do without a whole limb, then a finger, or a toe will do.

great writing, Bonnie. I think we all should say thank you.

2" of rain this afternoon, accompanied by lots of noise. It has cooled down a bit, thank heavens.

, very well said, Bonnie! Isn't it amazing the friends a flower can make?!

I appreciate the sentiment Rob...really I do...and I'm sure you mean it as a compliment wanting to grow us all in your yard...as though we were blossoms...but I think I'll keep my body parts for now...I intend to use them awhile longer!!

I think I got a little too much sun today.