Hi Sean,
Wild-collected seed from species in Tenuifoliae are available on
rare occasion, but most of us don't live in areas comparable to the
central Asian steppes.
I have not tried growing Iris ventricosa in the ground. The attached
picture is of a 34 inch deep pot (too big and heavy for me to get
into a refrigerator). The iris is clearly constrained by such a
shallow container. I sent a division of that plant to Dr. Waddick in
Missouri; he is trying it in the ground there. His winters are
"better" than mine. These plants have a reputation for not
transplanting. I have a feeling that wild collected plants suffer
too much root damage. I have had reasonable success repotting and
dividing plants grown in pots where I can minimize root damage.
However, even after 9 years I don't have large clumps. Maybe winter
refrigeration will help their overall health.
Ken
On 3/13/2012 9:17 PM, Sean A. Zera wrote:
Very cool! I didn't know anyone was even growing any
Tenuifoliae.
Other than having too mild a winter to trigger flowering,
have you had
any success with them in the ground?
Sean Z
SE Michigan
Quoting Kenneth Walker <k*@astound.net>:
> I'm attaching a photo of a bloom on Iris ventricosa.
I planted seeds
> more than 9 years ago and have been trying to figure
out how to get it
> to bloom. Putting the container in a refrigerator for
3 months did the
> trick! I also have a second clone from another
collection in bud. These
> iris grow in arid regions of central Asia. They
protect themselves from
> the elements by locating their rhizomes 6 inches
underground and have
> extensive root systems below that. For that reason,
they need rather
> large planters; I can only fit one planter this large
in a refrigerator.
> I have a total of four clones, but don't have room in
my garage for two
> more refrigerators...
>
> Ken Walker
> Concord, CA USA
>
