Re: AIS: saving stalks for show

Linda,

That is definitely a neat trick. I also learned this little trick from Allan Ensminger 10 years ago when we moved to Nebraska.
The difference that he showed me was that he used toilet paper and wrapped the bud, and secured with one or 2 pieces of
scotch tape. Then at the show, just cut or remove the tape, carefully unwrap the toilet tissue and the flower unfolds beautifully. I gave a demonstration of this technique at our last meeting in Lincoln last week. I used a median iris ....'Dumbledore' ... and it opened perfectly, with no blemishes, tears or damage to the flower. The first time I did this was in 1995 at a show using 'Vigilante'. It worked very well, and in fact I won our award for the best bicolor in the show with that flower that year. The only caution that I would make is that you should try to get to the show staging area early and remove the paper from the flowers as early as possible before the show. Some flowers, especially large ones, can look somewhat pinched or stiff for a while after opening this way. This may be more a problem if they are forced closed for an extended time before opening. If you can give them about 2 hours after opening, they will look much more natural. And, I do know that an astute judge that knows about this technique and how the flowers sometimes look stiff initially after opening this way, can spot them if the flower hasn't had time to relax a little.

This is a really fun demonstration to show kids (of all ages). It's quite amazing to watch this really clean, pure flower open fully, right in front of your eyes.

Gary White, zone 5, Lincoln, Nebraska
RVP Region 21


Linda Mann wrote:

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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