bloom in diploids
- To: Multiple recipients of list <i*@rt66.com>
- Subject: bloom in diploids
- From: j* <j*@indiana.edu>
- Date: Mon, 9 Jun 1997 08:54:03 -0600 (MDT)
I was wondering if anyone on this list can bring a perspective to bear on
lack of bloom among my irises. These are old irises that appeared after I
spent about 4 summers ripping out honeysuckle. They were put in sometime
between 1930 and 1984. They are very small, one bloom to a stalk, last
about 2 days, with yellow-brown standards and pale lavender falls. They
have no fragrance, and wilt instantly if you cut the stalk. They were
nevertheless my introduction to irises, and I am rather attached to them.
For the 6-7 years that I have been coddling them, they have never bloomed
beyond 1/every 7-8 plants. I have always entertained some idea to explain
it. First, it was because they were emerging from the honeysuckle, then
because they emerged the year before, then because maybe they were
crowded, then because I had just lifted and divided them, then because I
had just lifted and divided them the year before, etc... Finally I have
come to the conclusion that this is the best they will ever do for bloom.
Incidentally, the foliage has gotten healthier and healthier! Now I am
considering finding a nice alley for them somewhere, and acquiring the
habit of newer hybrids instead. If anyone on this list is familiar with
the bloom habits of this type of old irises, and can talk about your
experience, I would really appreciate it.Thank you! Judy Sylvester
jlsylves@indiana.edu
