how many blooms normal can one give? Just one single or a few??

I can't remember who asked about Italian Master.. Liz? I've been a bit on the fence about it too. We'll see how it looks this year. Last year the Standards were a bit too open for my liking.. but it was it's maiden bloom. I liked the color better than in some of the online pictures.

Yes, it was me. Thanks Sherry! Here's my problem with Italian Master, it varies a lot in how the falls look. Some have more overall red similar to decadence, others are patchy and washed out, then some have more concentrated red closer to the hafts and not on the entire fall (if any of that makes sense). I only like the last one I described with less streaky red all over.

irisarian said:My main problem with Jewel Baby here was extra flower parts. Triggered by cold I think.

I get extra flower parts. I always thought it was triggered by not enough cold.

Maybe it's just a little unstable like Trick of Treat.

Arabian Archer AB opened.



Both pictures were taken at the same time from the same place.
The lighter one was zoomed in more.
It just goes to show how the camera can change things.

I heard from a CA person that it had extra parts when they grew it. Just does it, I suppose.

It always comes with something extra in Illinois, too

I think we discussed Jewel Baby last spring, because most of us were getting "extra" parts. Must be in it's genetic make-up because it happens in a lot of different climatic conditions.

Gabe - "how many blooms normal can one give? Just one single or a few??" Not sure what you mean here. How many blooms per bloom stalk? If so, that varies quit a bit from iris to iris. There is a push in the newer iris to have more buds per stalk. The historics - at least in my garden - just put up more stalks, so it evens out.

Carl - Arabian Archer

I like at least 3 buds in SDBs & work on that. Too many flowers & they are crowded.

Carl - that Arabian Archer is a beautiful red!

I hope you all are just saying the color varies on Italian Master and not that it is not a good grower. I just ordered it from MidAmerica. I am not usually fond of reds but this one really looked pretty and the database pics show it more ruffled. Anyway, I hope I like it.

I was talking about varying color, not growth habits.

I got Italian Masters about 4 years ago, it still hasn't bloomed, and last year it rotted down to one rhizome. I had gotten another one in 2014, planted it in a different spot. It hasn't bloomed yet, but seems to be doing OK. Maybe this year. Hope it does well for you Jane. I really like it.

Buds per stalk, thanks gals!

Another of the Mamajack NOID batch showing color.



Sparks Fly. Surprised me because I had forgotten it was planted in this spot.



My not-Clique opened beautifully today. The color is more violet than shown in the photographs.



Red at Last. Another bloom. Yea!

*
Forgot this one. Crazy, crazy Pink Attraction.

Sparks 'fly might good for the heritage of red amoenas. I had forgotton about it--must see about using it.

If you don't have any Lucy, I have some to share.

Thank you. I have a VERY small clump, but if not there I now know where to go.

Just got some from Tom last year and it is already becoming a big clump. He is a great source if you need some Lucy.