New and Unread Tree-Mails
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Name: Katy Clovis, New Mexico, USA (Zone 7a)   KatyLLL Apr 11, 2020 8:18 AM CST |
| Hi, I took a picture yesterday of my first iris bloom, -- a red iris called Berniece's Legacy. I did not post the picture because when I looked at the iris I saw that it had 4 falls and no petals (or should I say small weak or insignificant petals) rising from the center (standards) to make the official iris shape. I cut that bad flower off and waited till this morning when the next flower was due to bloom. That one also had no inner petals and 4 fall petals. I have seen this cultivar (Berniece's Legacy) in pictures online with the correct number of petals and falls. Did I get a genetically bad plant? Is this a disease? Should I fertilize with something else? Did the grower perhaps add growth hormones that deformed the plant and will this get better once the chemical or hormone is out of the system-- Like next year. It is a pretty color, no doubt, a burgundy with a bright orange beard.   |
Name: Leslie Durham, NC (Zone 8a)         Lestv Apr 11, 2020 8:47 AM CST |
| No, it is producing chimera, deformed blooms caused by environmental stress of some type. It looks to have more blooms in bud, so hopefully the later ones will bloom normally. And wait a year before you think of tossing it, as next years blooms will probably be okay. If it is the first time blooming it may still be settling in to your garden conditions. "The chimera is a one time happenstance event where the plant has a senior moment and forgets what it is doing." - Paul Black |
Name: Evelyn Sierra foothills, Northern CA (Zone 8a)            evelyninthegarden Apr 11, 2020 10:58 AM CST |
Katy ~  to the Iris Forum!  I had one iris do that last year, and a different one do that the year before. However, not all the blooms were with 4 falls. Like Leslie said, give it a chance to prove itself. "Luck favors the prepared mind." - Thomas Jefferson |
Name: Monty Riggles Henry County, Virginia (Zone 7a) Oops. The weeds took over!    UndyingLight Apr 11, 2020 12:51 PM CST |
| With the consensus here - this can be typical of an iris who is still getting used to their new area. Or stressed out for another reason. Hopefully, it's just the first bloom.  SDB Stop and Stare |
Name: Evelyn Sierra foothills, Northern CA (Zone 8a) evelyninthegarden Apr 11, 2020 3:58 PM CST |
| Some irises have a propensity for anomalies. "Luck favors the prepared mind." - Thomas Jefferson |
Name: Katy Clovis, New Mexico, USA (Zone 7a) KatyLLL Apr 12, 2020 9:44 AM CST |
| Thanks, everyone. Yes, this is the same thing I have encountered with some orchids-- the first year first blooms are often deformed-- especially paphiopedilums. I just went out and looked at it this morning, and the 3rd bloom was normal. I guess it encountered stress while those first buds were blooming. This is the earliest bloomer I have, and for the next 3 days it will be below zero so I will cover it tonight and hope for the best for the final blooms. |
Name: Lilli Lundby, Denmark, EU         IrisLilli Apr 12, 2020 10:52 AM CST |
 Of course I talk to myself; sometimes I need expert advice! |
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