Golden Immortal opened up before my eyes. I didn't like how the bloom opened up so quick though, so I didn't attempt a cross with it. I have. Pretty bloom and no disrespect to any hybridizer, but I know what I'm looking for and G.I just eliminated itself from my cross program.
I will say I need to look back at parents though and see if there's a trait I want, but for now I'll just enjoy the bloom for what it is. Great bud count for a pot bloom though and really vivid yellow. Maybe I'll get a bloom this late fall this year.
Oh yeah, I did attempt Again and Again with another for the heck of it. I really liked the fragrance, color change between sun and shade, and diamond dusting.
I'm too new to present something new to the game, but you have to start somewhere
What is the least amount of sun an iris can get before it stops putting out blooms/increases? I had a spot picked out for all of my bonuses, but I'm realizing that it only gets 4-5 hours of sun. I feel like that's way too short, but it's such a great spot in my yard, and it can hold a lot of plants. I grew tomato plans there last year and they did really well. Thoughts?
I was reading a little on Nola's site and it said that they planted some irises under a Eucalyptus. The irises got less than 6 hours per day of sun, but still did well and bloomed after a year. That makes me hopeful. I suppose I could try and if none of them bloom next year I can look for another spot.
I have Irises planted on the north side of my house. They only get a hour or two of direct morning sun -- and another hour or two of direct late afternoon sun -- and they have bloomed and increased just fine. They've been there for years, and I've had to thin them several times. It's possible that they would bloom/increase even more if they were planted in full sun -- but I like them there and they seem to be happy. Good enough!!
Thoughts become things -- choose the good ones. (www.tut.com)
Name: Bonnie Sojourner Harris Brake Lake, Arkansas (Zone 7a) Magnolia zone
And the little guys seem to do well in less sun than a TB requires to bloom. I have dappled shade for the heat of the day to protect my irises in Arkansas summers.
Thro' all the tumult and the strife I hear the music ringing; It finds an echo in my soul— How can I keep from singing?
Liz, I also grow several in areas that receive about 4 hours of direct sun a day and they're happy. I also think if tomatoes did well there, you're in good shape- tomatoes need quite a bit of sun. You may find some among them sulk, and those you may later try in a sunnier spot, but I think you'll also find many will be perfectly happy.
"...and don't think the garden loses its ecstasy in winter. It's quiet, but the roots are down there riotous." Rumi
What's a your favorite way to send or receive your rhizomes? Open and leafing increases on a mother rhizome, closed babies on a mother, or a single rhizome showing nothing yet as far as increases?
July is recommended here and that's what I aim for, but I find any time from June through September works just fine. I like to dig and send mature increases from a mother rhizome, but sometimes toss a mother rhizome showing increases in. I've had good luck planting any of those you describe though.
"...and don't think the garden loses its ecstasy in winter. It's quiet, but the roots are down there riotous." Rumi
Another question. Are termites have a negative impact on irises? My backyard bed at my mom's has them. This means the soil is damp. That's why probably so many rotted in there. Any suggestions on what can kill these at least? Triazicide, Bayer?
There is Ortho termite killer you can get at Home Depot or Lowes that should work pretty well. I am guessing you need more drainage out of that area of the bed too. Were there lots of tree roots in that area? Just wondering what attracted the termites.
"The chimera is a one time happenstance event where the plant has a senior moment and forgets what it is doing." - Paul Black
She uses these stakes for the termites around the yard
This area was all woods a while back and termites have always been around the neighborhood. They're tough to see in this pic. I just dug a spot to see and sure enough.Many scattered and went back under as they don't like light.
Neal, Mary Ann, Lucy and Bonnie! I will definitely make that bed and give it a try.
