Re: Re:Growing Iris South Florida
iris@hort.net
  • Subject: Re: Re:Growing Iris South Florida
  • From: &* P* &* <1*@rewrite.hort.net>
  • Date: Wed, 5 Nov 2014 19:38:02 -0500 (EST)
I do not think any of us are experts when it comes to TBs in zone 9. We just do not have the data recorded to say much with any degree of confidence. But this question comes up frequently and I wish we could get more trials of various types in these areas. Certainly Louisiana irises and many beardless can do well in the Deep South. I have often believed that reblooming bearded irises should hold more promise in this area also. But again it is probably only a few cultivars that would work. Chilling may be only one of the concerns since Linda pointed out that Los Angeles does not get chilled and I am pretty sure there are Tbs growing there.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Betty Gunther" <63e82e8b1@rewrite.hort.net>
To: iris@hort.net
Sent: Wednesday, November 5, 2014 7:04:44 PM
Subject: Re: [iris] Re:Growing Iris South Florida

I am far from and expert, but it seems to me a big problem with growing 
bearded irises in FL would be moisture.  Growing them in a lot of sand 
might work.  And I am not saying the lack of vernalization wouldn't be a 
problem for many/most, but I do seem to remember old bearded irises in a 
few old gardens in New Orleans ( zone 9), but they weren't 
flourishing.   I do remember Louisiana irises flourishing there.   I 
planted several varieties of Louisianas in my back yard and they grew 
magnificently with practically no assisitence.   I also seem to remember 
that people in Zone 9 of Arizona claim to be unable to grow SDB but they 
can grow TB -- pretty well -- but they get very little water.
      I grow TBs in my farm garden 85 miles north of New Orleans in zone 
8 and I know of other iris gardens in that area. They grow and bloom, 
but the Louisianas still do better.   It is colder and dryer just 85 
miles north of New Orleans.
     My suggestion would be to look around for old Zone 8 gardens and 
see if some of those will grow in sandy zone 9 gardens and start from 
there hybridizing.   I think a few bearded iris have made it in Zone 9 
there.    You might be able to teach us something!
     Betty G ( Los Alamos, NM) zone 6 --- trying to see if Louisianas 
will grow outdoors here.

On 11/5/2014 3:24 PM, Linda Mann wrote:
> Site that will calculate how much opportunity there is for 
> vernalization at your location!
>
> http://getchill.net/
>
> This site gives both below 45oF and 32 to 45oF, plus the Utah Model. 
> For my location
> Between 45 and 32 Model: 1370 chill hours
> Utah Model: 1055 chill units
> It also gives 'chill portions', whatever that is.
>
> & Wunderground now has a reporting weather station just down the 
> street from me!  My very own weather station. ;-)  They are on the 
> other side of the valley, so will get more sun/be warmer, but only a 
> tiny bit.
>
> This site says Los Angeles has zero chilling hours
>
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-- 
Bob Pries
Zone 7a
Roxboro, NC
(336)597-8805

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