Re: FREE PCN SEEDS

From: "Patrick O'Connor" <swamp@ix.netcom.com>

Vickie Jo,

Are all those species among the PCNs firmly established?  At one time,
quite a few species of the Louisiana group were named, but later it was
recognized that many were natural hybrids.  Now there are only five
recognized Louisiana species.

Patrick

At 11:23 AM 7/30/98 -0700, you wrote:
>From: Vicki Jo Craig <cragiris@ipinc.net>
>
>Hi, 
>The initials PCN stand for Pacific Coast Native iris.  These are
>delightfully light, airy, beardless iris which come in a multitude of
>colors and patterns. They grow in compact clumps and may be grown in
>place for many years without having to divide as we do with the bearded
>iris. 
>
>There are many different species that grow mainly in the Pacific Coast
>areas. They are comprised mostly of Iris bracteata, I. chrysophylla,
>Iris douglasiana, Iris fernaldii, Iris hartwegii, Iris innominata, Iris
>macrosiphon, Iris Munzii, Iris purdyi, Iris tenax, and Iris tenuissima.
>
>
>Their natural habitat is usually lightly wooded areas where the soil
>tends to be slightly acidic rather than alkaline. They require good
>drainage. Most of the moisture comes in the fall, winter and early
>spring and they do best with long dry summers. Many grow in mountainous
>areas where it can be very cold and snowy in the winter.  
>
>They are known to grow well in Australia, England and New Zealand.  
>Most species are found growin in light shade but some do very well in
>direct sun. 
>
>If you live in an area with summer rains it would be best to give them
>sheltered areas where they would be kept dry. 
> 
>The seed seems to do best for us when planted in late November in pots
>in which we wet down the soil and set them out for the winter. We have
>an old counter top that sits about 3 feet off the ground where we set
>out the pots for the winter. This keeps the slugs, and other pests away.
>In the spring the seed germinate. When the seedlings are 4 to 5 inches
>tall we transplant them to a permanent location and other than
>occasional weed control (pulling) just let them grow. We have found that
>bark dust or pine needle mulch works best. Not all seed will germinate
>the first or even the second year. This is mother natures natural
>survival protection.  So label you pot that you grow the seed in and
>carefully remove the germinated seedlings and allow the remaining seeds
>an opportunity to germinate the following year. Be sure the pots you
>grow the seeds in have very good drainage. The seed must be kept moist
>through germination but not overly wet. The winter cold is needed to
>break dormancy so don't try to keep them away from cold weather.
>
>Gosh, I hope this clarifies alot of questions I have been getting. If I
>have failed to answer anyones questions, Please feel free to ask. 
>
>I'm within a couple of days of sending out seed. There are still
>hundreds of  seed available. 
>
>Thanks to all of you who responded.
>
>Vicki Craig
>
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