Watch out for misleading pictures from sellers posting what isn't their own. My first purchase was an infamous "Mixed lot" sale. This was the image given, which is in the GARDENER'S IRIS BOOK. I'm sure some of you are familiar with this picture. Being new last year, I wasn't aware and thought these were exactly what I was getting. So far not the case.



Now I know there's a ATP watermark, but I'll start placing my own, as so..

I come to you guys for wisdom and credibility. One thing I will do now on whenever selling or promoting is add a watermark. I hate them, but it protects your crops integrity, gives you credit for your photography, and hopefully stop these people from inappropriately using what isn't theirs. If I ever use someone's I will ask them and someone would like mines beyond Facebook "share" or here I would gladly send one without the mark.

I don't plan to be big-time, but I see a lot of questionable sales on some sites. Your input is always most welcome.

There are some bad people out there and they do almost anything to earn a few bucks. In the area I live in, its so different and I see people using someone elses info or pictures without any permission and happening more and more frequent..

I won't buy from the big box stores or any collections in which the irises are not named. It is because of issues like you note. Just not worth it, and I'd rather be sure of what I am getting. Nice to point this out and remind us of what some sellers will do.

...And be very careful on sites like eBay and Etsy. Only buy on those sites if it's someone who is a reputable grower like Iris Sisters or Country Delights. You won't know what they sent you until a year or two later and by then you have no leverage to get them to make it right!

The pictures are one thing, but they don't worry me as much as the numerous amount of people that get intrested in the Iris and then think they can pull a get rich quick Iris garden. I see people selling Iris that are so called "named" Iris to people on Facebook all the time and at outrageous prices! It drives me crazy! Especially when they list questions asking about what an Iris is and the 2 days later have it for sale on the trade auction site clearly knowing they are not 100% sure that's what it is. I've been burnt by eBay. I'm very cautious of who I purchase/ trade from on Facebook. I have been very lucky and still keep in contact with anyone I have ever traded with to make sure my trade is growing well and as to let them know about theirs. I listen to all the story's people write very carefully and when I catch people stepping all over there own stories I stay away. There are a lot of liars out there. If your going to lie you have to be damn smart because you have to remember everything. Collecting Iris's is fascinating to me and I truly love it!!! Although accidents do happen but I would rather deal with a vendor then try to track someone down years later because a purchase is bad. I know The Iris viris bites hard and makes you not think clearly especially when it's one you "have to have". People get in bad situations and need many and try to do whatever they can to make money. Just remember if it's to good to be true it usually is. This is coming from a girl that bought a lot of " 50 mixed modern Iris" with them most beautiful pictures, when I was new to this 5 years ago and they all turned out to be all the same historic Iris. I learned from my mistake.

But with that being said I am beyond greatful to learn from all the people on this Iris forum on ATP. I truly enjoy everyone's knowledge, thoughts and experience which is much more experienced then mine. It's nice to feel that there is a safe place to turn to know your going to get a realistic answer instead of just what you want to hear. So thank you!

I have done very well on eBay, no problems at all. So far, everything has come up as advertised. One purple noID, just sold as a purple iris - but the vendor and I ended up trading instead, is my most beautiful purple.

Mines so far are all Species iris, which I have in my own yard already. I'm gifting Fire Stations and assisted living homes with a bunch also, which I highly recommend before ever selling noIDs. I feel noIDs are best in our own yards and are at least something we know we're receiving. I rather receive PINK noID vs some lying selling a green noID, it's the principle! Plant sales will hopefully happen one year, but stock and a reputable small market base must be established first. My neighbor even asked if he could buy some noIDs today which I have PLENTY, but I told him I felt more comfy selling something identified true to name...and he'd have to wait at least till division time for those. This years blooms are mines to enjoy.

Donations are great, and if it's a charity it can be a write off to you also. I give a lot to my church for a local plant sale they sell them as purple Iris, red Iris, ect... ( it's not a fancy plant sale) I donate my extra named to our local Iris society's rhizome sale. I sell a few named to just help pay for my Iris addiction.😬

All good counseling. I have never sold an iris but have shared many and traded a fair few. I hope, am pretty sure, all that I have given/traded come up as stated. If they don't I will do my best to remedy that situation. Irises bring such a joy into the garden. The last thing I would want is for someone to walk about their plants during bloom season and be disappointed.

Except for a few trades, all our extras go to our local iris sale which we hold every other year. We alternate with shows (this is our show year). There will be a few SDBs for sale at the show.

Wish I could go, Lucy. Our show does not offer anything for sale and our sale has not offered SDB's for several years. whine.......

Anything that I could look for?

Our club buys introductions and newer iris from hybridizers including dwarfs and medians. Our auction and sale always does well so they put some of that money back into getting some of the best being introduced.

Same here. Members only plus invited friends for the yearly auction. It can get more new ones in the hands of members.