----- Original Message -----

From: r*@clas.net

To: i*@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Friday, September 24, 2010 9:27 PM

Subject: Re: [iris-photos] Re: Quality Standards

 

Loic-

 I agree with you, I recieved the same kind of rhizomes this summer - paid a quite significant price for new introductions that arrived the size of my small finger and thumb.  I was very disappointed to recieve such small, fragile starts for the amount of money invested.  To date 2 of them have fully dried up without any attempt to set root or foliage.

They were planted with care and given extra attention but failed to even attempt to grow.  I was/am greatly disappointed that a professional grower would send out such stock-I would have preferred to be told they were not available.  I should have sent them back, but felt that would surely be the death of them.  My order was for about 15 different varieties and I suppose I should be pleased that only 2 of the small things have died.

It does make one wonder about how the quality vs quantity standards of some growers are determined.  And, my rhizomes did not have to travel more than 4 days-they were small, dry, with browning foliage when they arrived-leaving me to believe they were in this condition when they were dug for shipping, or were dug way to long before shipping time.  2010 introductions costing more than $40 each should not look like that in my opinion.

 

Rose Kinnard

 

----- Original Message -----

From: t*@cs.com

To: i*@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Friday, September 24, 2010 10:34 AM

Subject: Re: [iris-photos] Re: Quality Standards

 

Linda, i totally agree with you, rhizomes that weight 250 grams are bound to be full of water, and have very high chances to rot  here too.

The decent size of 100 grams is what i am after, with A very dense structure, hard to cut with the knife.

 

But the pictures i have put on iris-photo show irises between 5g and 30g;

They can't go in the garden yet or they would be lost,  they have to be potted and spend  a year in the place in the garden i call the kindergarten, and sometimes the hospital.... where 'potatoes' (used up rhizomes) are kept for extra shoots, and fragile irises that start to rot are kept under scrutiny after cutting and bleaching.

 

It is not the place i want to see the newly arrived irises ordered from professionals.

 

Loïc

 

 

 

----- Original Message -----

From: l*@lock-net.com

To: i*@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Friday, September 24, 2010 3:53 PM

Subject: [iris-photos] Re: Quality Standards

 

Loic, I'm hesitant to say this (again) because it annoys some to hear
it, but I have problems with the big robust (sappy) rhizomes that many
others seem to like. They don't adapt to my growing conditions well at
all. I bought a batch like that last year, and I think all but one of
them died - more susceptible to freeze/thaw/rot damage over the winter.
The only blooms they produced were on small increases, most of which
did not survive past bloom season. If I buy from that grower again (and
I may, just as an experiment), I may store them indoors in cool place in
a paper bag until the following March after the worst of our freezes
(usually), then pot them up outdoors.

One CA grower who used to send sappy rhizomes has quit watering in the
summer (at least the ones I get) and they seem to survive here <much>
better than previously.

From the photos you posted, it does look like the smaller rhizomes had
a bit too much moisture or too little air circulation for the length of
time they had to be closed up for shipping. But I wouldn't object to
the size for my growing conditions, as long as that is blooming size.

My two cents.

Linda Mann
east TN USA zone 7
wondering if it's suddenly going to go from months of 95oF to 20oF any
day now...no rebloom other than IMM & Belvi Q, & they are done for now.