Re: Bloom Report

From: "Donald Eaves" <donald@eastland.net>

Hello Folks,

When GALLANT MOMENT blooms, there will be no more bearded
blooms this spring.  These late bloomers aren't managing the
weather too well.  It would be nice if I could figure out how to
achieve a better performance in order to extend the bloom
season.  Especially since there have quite a few cultivars
willing to bloom late.  Unfortunately, the blooms don't manage
to achieve the beauty of the early and mid season blooms and
often there will only one or two good blooms and the rest of the
buds shrivel in their sockets.   Two exceptions which have been
blooming are a yellow seedling - tall, well branched, lots of buds
staying healthy and withstanding the heat.  Another is RUSTY
MAGNIFICENCE.  This one leaves a bit to be desired when
viewed close, but has respectable height and looks great until
you get within about 4'.  The current stalk is a repeat bloom stalk
as well.  Others blooming late are VIRGINIA RUDKIN.  This does
not exactly match the photo in the catalog.  The shoulder pattern
is more pronounced and it is as tan/brown as it is orange/amber.
The henna blend in the bloom is a nice touch, tho.  ARCTIC WINE,
an IB picked up from the Spears at the Fort Worth plant sale is
doing well for one so late.  The color is a darker version of LADY
FRIEND, with the same subtle blending making it a hard color to
describe.  LINGERING SPRING, even later than last year is blooming
on the only increase it gave, so I guess bloomout is the order of the
day.  It will only have 3 blooms manage to open, the rest will dry
up.  NOTORIOUS, that interesting looking iris bloomed a week later
this year and not to good effect.  Only one bloom and the rest of
buds have shrivelled.  OLA KALA is blooming and doing better than
some, but still leaves a lot to be desired.  It grew taller, but the blooms
are stressing quickly in the heat.  MALAYSIA, a brown/orange has 
managed to bloom most of the buds, but the last two won't make it
and it couldn't manage much height.  MOUNTAIN MAJESTY is a
lovely purple and the three blooms it managed held up well in the heat
and it obtained enough height to show in its location, but the remainder
of the stalk's buds shriveled.  Are there any heat proof beardeds out
there?  I wonder if these were planted in the high shade of the oak trees
with perhaps some morning sun whether the performance would be
improved?  Anyone in the hotter, drier, breezier areas have any
suggestions?

Donald Eaves
donald@eastland.net
Texas Zone 7 and watching the one JI bloomstalk which will be the last
iris to bloom until the fall rebloomers (I hope).

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