SHOW;REPORT
From: "Carryl M. Meyer" <carrylm@bigsky.net>
We had our show on Saturday, here in Missoula--western Montana--and even
though we thought that it would be smaller than usual--had 126
entries--which is about the usual for us--with a range of MDB's to mostly
TB's--one space ager, several Siberian and specie--and 8 new people from
town--who do not belong to the local club--that is also good for us--
BOS was Joy,Joy,Joy--and it also won the 'people's choice'--looked
great--sitting up there on the box-about a foot tall-above the table--where
we put all the winners up on boxes--but the flower then was about 2 feet
over my head--and over the head of almost everyone--if you do not know the
flower--it is talllllll--was in a tall vase--and we are thinking of doing
something different next year--when looking down on the flower it is
gorgeous--but when looking up--not so much!!! What do other places do with
the tall ones?
Since we have been having hail and wind storms, I decided not to compete
this year--so did an Educational Display--listing the varieties of Iris,
native area, size and short description of each--thanks to BIC and the new
Signa Specie list--had all 6 sizes of Bearded, SIB, 3 specie--all in vases
in front of the foam-core with the descriptions on it--and the response
from the public was really great!!! Many questions, and people saying' I
did not know that all those were Iris"--so that is something for you to
think about for next year--one of the goals of the AIS is public education,
and this was easy, simple, not too costly, and will now become a part of
our show always--and am busy thinking up more ideas for next year--
Since we are having screwy weather--our 'old relliables' are not this
year--are bunchy-buds frozen, etc--and some of mine which have not bloomed
for 3 years or increased very much--are blooming this year--
Keith Keppel was here--drove up--10 hour drive, even though his bloom is
about 2 weeks late and he left seedlings in bloom to come here--he gave his
talk on 'Plicata, Luminata, Glaciata" and loony plics--if you want to
understand all those terms and really find out what and why about
plics--invite him to give his talk--but watch out for the test--he expects
you to learn!!!
He also judged and then gave garden judging training for our
Apprentices--was really amazed at how different the iris are
here--certainly not the branching and bud count here as in Oregon--
Now off to the club garden--out tour is next Sat. and we should be at peak
bloom--with the forecast of rain, hail, wind most of the week!!!
Carryl zone 3/4 in western Montana
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Have you entered ONElist's "Grow to Give" program?
http://www.onelist.com
Deadline is June 19. Join now to win $5000 for your charity of choice.
