Re: Iris Sales

Debbie Green writes:

/1.  Are most of the unnamed or inexpensive things at these sales iris 
/that the members are "dumping" (a word that was used more than once) on 
/the innocent beginner?  If so this seems more likely to alienate than 
attract new members!
/
/2.  For varieties that are sold properly labelled, how do the prices at such 
sales tend to compare with buying the same varieties elsewhere?  Are they 
/usually cheaper, about the same, or more expensive?

   I can't remember if I used the word "dump" or not, but it kinda sounds like
something I'd say.  If I did, I was referring to those un-named irises that we
all tend to get as beginners AND after becoming more interested in irises we
find out that we'd rather grow named varieties.  Lack of garden space forces us
to "dump" the un-named ones.  At least that's what I did.  Many people are not
interested in named plants and just want "landscaping" plants.  So, that's what
we sell our un-named irises as.  

    I'd also have to say that most irises at iris sales are much cheaper than
the in the catalog.  Some clubs have pre-sales or "member's only" sales before
selling the irises to the public.  Many of these sales are 50% off.  At our
sales most of the rhizomes sell for $3.00.  One thing that we do is get our iris
pictures from the color catalogs and it usually has the price.  This has also
caused suspicion because we're selling our irises so low.  BUT our purpose is to
get people interested in irises and to make some money for the society and gain
new members.  We're only interested in making enough money to run the club!  I
think that this is the situation you'll find in most societies.

   When members donate irises for the sales, they donate what they have excesses
of growing in their gardens.  This usually means that particular iris grows well
in the area and does not reflect the actual "cost" if bought from one of the
iris catalogs.  I grow lots of irises in a small space.  Consequently, I don't
have large clumps.  You'll find many of the newer varieties coming from my
garden for iris sales that are well above the $3.00 price we sell them for.
 
     Everything in my garden either gets donated to the society for sales, or
traded for other varieties or plants. I don't sell irises!  This is a hobby for
me - not a business.  If you want an iris from my garden you'll have to give me
another plant for it - I don't care what!  I figure that anyone who doesn't have
an "extra" of any plant of some type isn't a gardener and I don't want my irises
going to non gardeners.  

Anyway, I'll climb off the soapbox.

Bill Smoot      Portsmouth,VA       AIS Region 4
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