AIS: saving stalks for show

I got this note from Ruth Ennenga (Jim's missus) the other day and
thought it was a neat trick for holding bloom till show date:

Ruth said:
<[Jim] told me what Arnold Schliefert (a contemporary of the
great Sass iris growers in Nebraska) used to do to keep his display
stalks just about right for his commercial display at the Greater
Omaha Iris Society Show.

Schlieferts would cut prize stalks 2 or 3 days ahead of the show [while
they were still in bud, but about to open], and very carefully wrap each
bud in newspaper and secure with a rubber band.   .....  I took six
inches wide and about 8 or 9 inch long  strips of newspaper--I dampened
them a little but he [Jim] said I did not have to, but they were easier
to roll around the buds and secure loosely with a rubber band.

This was easier to do than I thought it would be.   I  carefully wrapped
each bud, and put that magnificent stalk which I grew myself
by the front porch, watering and fertilizing it, and playing sweet music
to it, into a container with water, and put it out in the
garage.    Hope it works.

....Jim said the Schlieferts used to bring
buckets of iris to the show this way, then unwrap them at the show and
they would open beautifully.>
=======

My car (Geo Metro) is too small to easily transport TB stalks once the
blooms are open, but lots of room for wrapped stalks.  I think I'll try
this trick with tall dark & handsome - blooms are just about to pop and
it's supposed to storm today.  Should be perfect for our show Sat.
--
Linda Mann east Tennessee USA zone 7/8
East Tennessee Iris Society <http://www.korrnet.org/etis>
American Iris Society web site <http://www.irises.org>
talk archives: <http://www.hort.net/lists/iris-talk/>
photos archives: <http://www.hort.net/lists/iris-photos/>
online R&I <http://www.irisregister.com>

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