Re: OT how do you take your iris to a show

Char asks:

>Now how about those seedlings?

Most vans have high enough clearance to accommodate the tallest irises
(barely).  But let's say you have an SUV.  Typically, the rear floor (bed) of
an SUV, i.e., the cargo space, sits higher than the foot wells in the
passenger compartment.  So, if you have an iris that sits just a little taller
than the interior height of the rear cargo space, slide the front passenger
seat forward and place your iris container on the floor of the foot well in
front of the back seat.  There'll be more lateral room there than in front,
where the dashboard may interfere.

But, van or SUV,  if you have an seedling that is still taller than that,
here's what to do:  Get a slim tomato stake (I actually use 1/2" bamboo cut
from my own yard) and cut it a couple of inches short of the height of the
base of the seedling's terminal flower.  Put a couple of ounces of water in a
plastic sandwich bag.   Cut off the seedling at its base and place the base in
the water in the plastic bag, cinching the bag tightly around the stalk with a
twist tie.   Then, using a couple of twist ties, strap the seedling's stalk to
the tomato stake.  You can now prop the stalk up against the back of the rear
seat, with the flower hanging forward of the seat, or prop it similarly
against a box in the cargo area, being sure to secure both the base and the
top from moving sideways.   I have transported iris this way for several hours
with no problem.   If you're worried about the bloom tending to tilt one way
or another on a long trip, stop and rotate the stalk, but I haven't noticed a
flower actually doing that.

--  Griff

zone 7 in Virginia

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