Dennis,
That's an interesting observation! I thought that fast spreading iris
were heavy feeders that moved on looking for more nutrients. Maybe I.
tridentata is good at extracting nutrients from poor soil, but moves
after doing so.
This year I'm crossing a wide-petaled I. tridentata from Joe Pye Weed's
Garden in 2000, with an I. tridentata from SIGNA 03Q227 that has a
strong yellow signal. The plant from 03Q227 that I really want to work
with has great branching, apparently an uncommon trait for I.
tridentata. Unfortunately it decided not to bloom this year. Maybe next
year...
Ken Walker
Concord, CA USA
USDA Zone 9
Dennis Kramb wrote:
I brought this up a few months ago but got almost no responses, so
I
wanted to post a follow-up message.
I built a bog bed specifically for carnivorous plants this spring
(about
3 months ago). My Sarracenia pitcher plants are happy as could be. I
also transplanted a couple Iris tridentata in there.
Now, 3 months later, the tridentata are thriving. I am gobsmacked how
much better the I. tridentata are doing in that nutrient poor bog bed,
than in the other (equally soggy) spot the others are in.
What's up with that?!
Would other irises respond like that? I. fulva? I. brevicaulis?
I've always thought of irises as heavy feeders, thriving on nutrients.
I can't stop scratching my head over this nutrient poor bed and my
super
happy tridentatas.
Dennis in Cincinnati
(forgive the cross posting)
