Re: How Much Cold

I asked one of the members of WEENIES who dares to grow more experimental
iris -- experiments for this neck of the woods -- in Cheektowaga, NY --
about arils and rebloomers. 
	Judy grows 1/4 aril EGYPTIAN LULLABY, H.Nichols'89. He hybridized in 82, but intro'd in 89,  It's parents are Stockholm X Smooth As Silk.  She said
that if it doesn't bloom this year, its third, out it goes.  I'm hoping she
tosses it in my direction to go with the others I will plantl
(Sharon, the request is in the mail -- can't wait for your descriptions --
I'll share them with Judy)
	Judy says EL grows 16 " which makes it a median and it's prolific, just
doesn't bloom.  May be the variety rather than culture.
	And she has for rebloomers:
	LO HO Silver, an IB, Baby Blessed, an SDB mentioned as a rebloomer 
previously by someone else never rebloomed for me, and Queen Dorothy, a TB.
She said she gets reblooms by cleaning out the mother rhizome as soon as the
new increases are established, often 3 weeks after the first bloom, to 
conserve strength for the new ones.  She doesn't disturb the root system by
weeding (neither do I but that's not QUITE the same thing) and they get
very little water and no Cygon (might set them back a little??)
	Judy's a VERY conscientious gardener.  Keeps very good records.  Her
garden is generally in show condition with deadheading and interplantings to
complement the iris.  She has raised beds all around.  Her bloomstalks have
won Queen of the Show at least once, maybe twice, can't remember, but she's
a person who pays attention to details and is willing to share information
about her practises.  She's been chair of the design section of our show
for many years, and gives classes at the drop of a hat on how to display and/or
design using IRIS as the focus.
	Haven't heard from folks about the DESIGN and/or DISPLAY sections
of their shows.  This year we will have a display section for the first time
to encourage more people to participate who don't want to do the grooming for
the show benches.  The displays are an opportunity to showcase three or five
bloomstalks of a particular variety.  I think no other plant material is in
the display, but I could be wrong.  It is not a design which will have
color and proportion and other plant material, but is attractively displayed
cultivars.  The exhibitor doesn't have to pick a perfect example from the
garden, but can delight in keeping it at home, and use the slightly less
perfect stalks and can still participate fully in the Show and Exhibit!
Carolyn Schaffner in going-to-be-sunny Buffalo.  I know because the sun is
shining in my eyes as I type!!
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