Re: OT: SE Alaska report (long) Was: Attention Alaskan members.

Mark Cook inquired:
> 
> According to the Weather Channel Web Site, daytime temperatures in
> southern Alaska are running mostly in the 40's F with some low 50's 
> in the interior.  With this, I guess the snow pack is starting to 
> melt. Let us know when you have your first flower of any type, and
> especially your first Iris.
> 
Here in Southeastern Alaska, also known as the panhandle (a narrow
strip that runs along the upper part of the western boundary of British
Columbia) our day temperatures have been running in the mid 40s F. to
low 50s. Our low temps have been running in the mid 20s F. to low 30s.

My garden usually runs about 2 to 4 degrees colder than what the weather
stations report, and my flowers often bloom a week or two later than 
others in close proximity. We are separated from BC by an ice field 
that never melts, and I'm located in a valley that has a glacier
at the head. We have ocean on the other side.

Our valley stays fairly well chilled when air passes over the ice field
from BC toward the ocean. When the air moves toward BC from the ocean,
we get lots of rain.

Anyhow, to answer the question, I have lots of crocus in bloom and was
speculating today that we might have some daffodils in bloom Sunday or
Monday. No buds are showing yet on my tulips. I have one variety of
primula in bloom (I think one of my grandkids ate the name tag or
something like that - believe me he's capable) and some primula 
Juliana are showing buds.

My TBs, all unknown, wintered fairly well with minimal spring rot 
(after lots of fall rot), and started showing new growth early 
this week. They have tolerated several 23-25F. nights since starting
to grow. 

These went into the ground last year and I haven't seen any of 
them in bloom yet. They were purchased as a "lot" of pastel colored 
iris through an internet auction.

On the seedling front, I've got setosa seedlings sprouting almost 
faster than I can pot them up. These are both wild collected and 
SIGNA varieties. I also have a good number of tectorum and versacolor 
seedlings from seed kindly provided by one of our list mates.

I purchased some germanicas this spring and have them in pots in a 
cold frame. They are growing well. A piece of Loop de Loop that I 
planted out in the garden isn't growing, but the cold hasn't damaged 
the fan. It looks like it is just waiting for warmer weather. 

My guess is we are at least 6 to 8 weeks away from any iris blooms.

Sorry this is so long.

Duane
dbuell@ptialaska.net 
Juneau, Alaska. Zone 5b-6a depending on where you are in my yard.
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