I don't do a lot of trading anymore, as I mostly get new introductions. (a few historic too) Trying to keep the number of beds constant, so things have to go to make room. I have no idea yet what I will have extras of at this point, but I should have some available for postage in July if that interests you.

tveguy3 said:I have no idea yet what I will have extras of at this point, but I should have some available for postage in July if that interests you.

Tom ~ Keep us posted. We have new members, and possibly more joining in the coming months...

I am a bit cautious about sending "new members" free irises, as (sorry to say) I and others on here have made the mistake of sending loads of free irises to new people on here and finding them all for sale on E-bay shortly after. They often come on here using a new name, but Dave has been good about watching for them and kicking them off. So I try to get to know people on here long enough to know they are legit before sending. The good news is that most everyone on here is honest.

👏🏻👍 thank you for that, tom.

@tveguy3 Tom, come July I would be interested in some of your Iris for postage if you have any available. If not, that's okay too.

tveguy3 said:I am a bit cautious about sending "new members" free irises, as (sorry to say) I and others on here have made the mistake of sending loads of free irises to new people on here and finding them all for sale on E-bay shortly after. They often come on here using a new name, but Dave has been good about watching for them and kicking them off. So I try to get to know people on here long enough to know they are legit before sending. The good news is that most everyone on here is honest.

Tom ~ I didn't think of that! It's too bad. (Most everyone?)

I agree with Tom. It is so easy to want to help a person new on the forum, who says they have just moved and wants to add to their garden, or has been away/ill for a long time and has lost their irises..... Most everyone is trustworthy i am glad to say and only a few spoil the fun sometimes. By being cautious it discourages scammers from taking advantage.

There have been many members in the past who show up just in time for trades, then you don't hear from them again. They are just after the postage freebies.

So what do you tell them? "This trade is only open to established members."?

Most of the time you don't get the postage either. Not a budget breaker by any means but it is very disrespectful. I wonder sometimes if they are not selling them then are they just letting them dry up and die.

A very few people make life more difficult, and less fun, for many very nice people.

Evelyn - Some members in the past have sent treemails with their list of available iris. This keeps it to a more controlled group of people.

Leslie~ I hadn't thought of that.

Well I'm grateful for the Irises that we're shared with me I was inspired to start a bit of a collection and bought a few the following season from two of the listed vendors and some from the local society. I can't wait to see many of them bloom for the first time this summer!
I have to admit that while I was weeding them today and noticed some have some fungal spotting on the tips of the leaves. I think I might trim and possibly spray them with copper tomorrow.

That sounds like leaf spot, Rebekah. Be sure to clean your cutting tools between cuts. Some recommend using 10% beach solution - but, being allergic to chlorine bleach, I'm using rubbing alcohol to clean the blades. It's very easy to spread the fungus. Ask me how I know.

I'm sure your right Jan. I'm hoping it's due to our cold wet spring and not conditions I've created . I'll definitly clean the pruners between cuts! I wonder if the cool Pacific northwest is a bit of a shock to some of these Texans. Does anyone specificly try to order regionally or at least in the same growing zone?