more info on "orris"
- To: i*@rt66.com
- Subject: more info on "orris"
- From: "* D* A* <r*@teleport.com>
- Date: Fri, 30 Aug 96 23:11:34 PST
here is more info about 'orris' that I thought the iris-l group would like:
----- Forwarded message begins here -----
From: conrad@richters.com <conrad@richters.com>
To: <rarnold@teleport.com>
Date: Fri, 30 Aug 1996 10:12:18 -0400
Subject: Re: greetings!
"Ralph D. Arnold" <rarnold@teleport.com> writes:
> Greetings, Conrad! I haven't emailed you for over a year
> (mushrooms? http://www.mtjeff.com/fungi)
>
> I posted a question about "orris" in the iris mailing list...and someone
> responded with a promotion of your firm.
>
> Do you have any cultivating info about this species I might be able to use?
> Anything I can share with the list?
Hi Arnold. Orris is really easy to grow, and could easily be grown
commercially in North America. It is perfectly hardy in our zone 5,
never failing to winter outside. It is susceptible to borers which is
perhaps the greatest challenge a commercial grower faces.
There is no information available on the economics of growing orris;
other than the fact that it is one of the most popular dried herbs
(for potpourri use) we have no information on the size of the market
or on its profitability as a field crop.
See below for additional information.
> ----- Forwarded message begins here -----
> From: SCHAFFCM@SNYBUFAA.CS.SNYBUF.EDU <SCHAFFCM@SNYBUFAA.CS.SNYBUF.EDU>
> To: Multiple recipients of list <iris-l@rt66.com>
> Date: Wed, 28 Aug 1996 21:02:12 -0600 (MDT)
> Subject: Re: Florentine Iris? Orris?
>
> Richters herb Catalogue lists orris (Iris X germanica florentina) --
> Produces nearly white flowers with traces of blue or purple. (doesn't say
> whether it is plicata or luminata!!) Dried powdered rhizome is sthe major
> source of orris, used inperfumery and potpourris.
> Plant - $3.00 (Cdn)
Please note that the U.S. dollar equivalent is approximately $2.25
each plant (in a 2-1/2" square pot). Wholesale price is U.S. $1.35
each if you order 72 plants or more.
> Dreied roots (p - not GP) ( Idon't know what that means) 50 g/$5.00,
> 1kg/$43 (Cdn)
"p" means powder; "not GP" means that the dried powder is not from
organically grown plants
> Carolyn Schaffner in Buffalo, where the evening is cold, again!!
>
> ------ Forwarded message ends here ------
>
> ----- Forwarded message begins here -----
> From: Ralph D. Arnold <rarnold@teleport.com>
> To: Multiple recipients of list <iris-l@rt66.com>
> Date: Wed, 28 Aug 1996 20:49:47 -0600 (MDT)
> Subject: Florentine Iris? Orris?
> Please, I am seeking info about the profitability or availability of
> growing FLORENTINE IRIS - ORRIS (Iris germanica).
>
> Once grown, is it sellable?
For dried rhizome production, more than likely, provided the quantities
are large and quality and price is right. Growers interested in
commercializing orris should not think of producing less 1000 lbs.
> How does it's growth differ from growing "flowering" irises?
In a garden setting, there is not much difference. It is tough,
so perhaps it is easier. For commercial production, it is very
different because you are not concerned about cut flowers. You
need harvesting and drying equipment, and you need to replant
annually.
> Where might one find less-expensive rhizomes?
See above.
> Is it profitable to tissue-culture this or other irises?
Not likely. It is easily propagated by conventional means, and
there are no major advantages of tissue culture plants.
Hope this helps.
Conrad Richter
-- Plan to Attend Richters' First Ever COMMERCIAL HERB GROWING CONFERENCE --
----- October 26, 1996 --- For details, email: conference@richters.com -----
RICHTERS HERBS | Info: info@richters.com
Goodwood, ON L0C 1A0, Canada | Catalog Requests: catalog@richters.com
Tel +1-905-640-6677 Fax 640-6641 | What's New for '96: new@richters.com
------ Forwarded message ends here ------
