Lucy, I'm still too much of a novice to trust myself with seeds, but working on it. I was given 6 seeds from which I managed to grow 5 seedlings. This is the noid mother (any guesses?):
I also experimented with pollination and have 2 "pregnancies" now. Fingers crossed...
Besides, I prefer the bearded iris, which can't be grown true from seed. I always complicate things
Charlotte, I think that I can't live away from the soil now, after I've touched it and contracted the gardening virus. I live in an apartment building and never had my own piece of land. The neighbors were indifferent to us turning the barren yard into a blooming garden. One of the rewards is seeing their initial indifference transform into smiles and thanks, taking pictures, and sometimes even involvement and additions of their own. Every day I spend a few hours down in the garden discovering what's new and learning.
I don't know why, but guess it's the companies choice not to ship here. For example, Thompson & Morgan do ship here (seeds) from the UK. To some degree I see the reason for restrictions, but doubt it can be applied, or even relevant, like you said Arlene.
However. I gave my rhizomes a bleach bath and made sure they are healthy and pest free before planting them out. Later I even destroyed 2/5 of Accent when it grew deformed leaves, not wanting to take the risk of importing the dreaded borer. I later got a professional opinion that it's due to climate shock. I hope you will not disagree. It was a few months ago and so far the plant is happy and healthy.
Thanks so much for the detailed reply Arlene and Mika. I have a lot to investigate now...
