Wow Cory, losing around half of your bloom is a shocker! So sorry to hear that, and Brad it's tough to loose some of the favorite ones especially if it's a seedling and can't be replaced. Arlyln, maybe some of those hard to find historics are hard to find for a reason. I wonder if you potted them up and kept them sheltered over the first winter and then planted them out if that would give them enough of a start to keep going.

I managed to get through 2 beds yesterday and didn't find too many disappointments there. So far I haven't seen any total losses. Some of the new ones planted last year are not going to bloom, but I still have the bulk of beds to do yet and it's too early to tell for sure. I haven't even looked at the seedling beds yet. Today it's supposed to be nice again, then a rainy spell, so maybe I can get some more beds done before the rain comes.

I had John check on my MTB seedlings returned nicely from convention & they are doing fine. they are in NJ & I hope the early season doesn't make them bloom beforehand.

We have very sharp drainage in the old horse pasture. What we had though was a great place turned out to have had the topsoil removed before we bought the property 40 years ago. While we had the ponies we had a great source for fertilizer, but as the other area of our place is wooded leaves make up our compost. I see people bagging theirs to be picked up in the fall, but ours STAY here.

Brad, Tom, Arlyn, Greg and Cory...I'm sorry all of you are dealing with iris issues. Losing the seedlings would be tough since you can't replace them.

Muddymitts said:Just box 'em up and mail them all to Kentucky!!!

Oh yes, but with a detour in Idaho! I just read through 4 pages of this thread and my eyes are burning from pulchritude overload. If I had any of the unique beauties in my garden, I would set a cot up outside so I could lie there and watch them in every second of sunlight. So are these pictures of seedlings that have not been introduced yet,or what? I guess I should have read the beginning of the thread. Brad, your pics are amazing, such luminosity and vivacity! You must have quite the mathematical brain to keep all of those strands woven together and
yet all distinct. And an artistic heart to glorify each one so dramatically.

What she said, Brad!!!

I hope even though you had a rough time this year, Brad, you will gift us with photos of the remaining ones as your seedlings are beautiful.
We have also had a strange winter and now it is 75 degrees here in KY even though the forecast was for 80% rain. Not a drop has fallen. I know Western KY has had lots of rain and we have been spared.
Hugs to all who have lost plants. I have only lost Sweet Geisha so far this year.

I cleaned up another bed today, and there was no rot in it at all so far. Hope the wet days ahead doesn't change that.

Any unwanted irises have a home with me. I will also take wanted irises that are on the run also.

One should be careful making wishes like that Richard, you might have an 18 wheeler drive in and unload a gazillion or two.

LOL!!

Tom, that would be ok. Irises will take over the neighborhood which would not be a bad things now would it. Beside I would have enough to put some into the Iris Protection Network.

Cory.. I missed your comment earlier about plant problems it's tough to lose so many but I don't think the leaves are your problem the past few years Botrytis has been rampant in the midwest or at least here anyway that is probably the cause. Take a couple pictures of what they look like I'm curious if we are having the same issues.. The leaves have a very distinct look to them and will pull off easily

Tom.. Good news hoping you have a excellent season and get lots of pollen daubing done

Rob.. Mother nature is tough and was disappointed to lose them but would rather find out now then years down the line when I think I actually have something nice and it's not hardy.

Jane.. Lot's of photo's to come if not from here I'm sure there will be a awesome show in Oregon this year

Cleata.. Thanks !! The pictures at the beginning of this thread are mine and the rest are from different gardens I visited last year I'm glad you enjoyed them

I wanted to show some of Kieth's seedlings from Silk Road that I have enjoyed over the past couple years. I thought this group was excellent beautiful blend of colors and beards and nicely ruffled form and a lot of them stood out as I was walking the rows just a sample of some of the good things that happen when you mix Silk Road with other plants. The grand kids get really interesting especially those coming from the named plants above in the 06-77 cross more of those to come.

(08-32B.. Silk Road X 06-156E)

(08-32E..

(08-58C...Arrivederci X Silk Road)

(08-47B ..Silk Road X Raging Tide)

(08-47A..

(08-33).. Silk Road X 06-156?

(08-58A)..

(09-132 J).. Silk Road X Royal Majesty)

(09-132 D)..

(09-132 G)..

(07-82A) Silk Road X Rainbow High

(Silk Road X Monmarte)

(08-51C Carnival Capers X Silk Road)

I like the first and next to last ones best!

What an interesting fall color you get from Montmartre x Silk Road! :hurray:

I like the darker beard colors he is getting, such as 09-132D. The colors of the irises are similar to others out there, but the dark beard instead on orange or yellow makes them pop.

They are all nice, but I like the first one the best.

So I was just googling botrytis. Not sure this is what I have. I haven't seen any grey mold on my irises. I think I my have just the normal rot. I can smell the nasty rot smell. If I get on my hand it smells very bad. Does botrytis smell bad? The base of the fans are yellow, brown and pull off without much pressure needed.

Soft rot, maybe, Cory?
http://www.irises.org/About_Ir...

The rotted tissue from the botrytis fungus has a some what "sweet", or "yeasty" smell.

No sweet smell. The odor makes me think of vomit. It smells nasty. I'm thinking soft rot. Not for sure. If it's soft rot how do you pervert it?