Re: REB: Rebloom article...Lengthy !....was Rebloom comments

Linda Mann wrote:
> 
> Lloyd, John, Walter, Keith Keppel (in absentia) - any idea how cold the
> soil (or air) temperature has to get to trigger rebloom in those
> cultivars that require it?  Or how long it has to last?  Do you think
> piling ice cubes on for a few days would do it?
> 
> Is this the same problem those folks in Los Angeles mentioned with
> getting any bloom?
> 

Linda,

Sorry to butt in, but I wanted to refer you to an article written by
Raymond G. Smith, who btw just recently passed away, in the 1960 January
Bulletin.  It is titled "Differences among Rebloomers".  Although this
article is almost 40 years old I believe most of the information is
still pertinant.

If you do not have this Bulletin, let me know and I will send it snail
mail.  But basically what he describes are 7 different types of
rebloomers.

1. Extremely slow maturing iris which does not bloom in the spring and
sometimes not in the fall.  <examples are given using older iris>.

2. An extremely vigorous sort, possessing the tendency for rapid
vegetative increase and new fall growth.  It blooms in the fall far down
in the fan, often with but a protion of the flower projecting from
between the leaves.

3. This type seldom if ever blooms in this climate (Indiana).  Actually
it does break dormancy in the late fall.  Its buds have developed just
enough to be killed by the first hard freeze with the result that the
center stalk is blasted and the vigor distruibuted to the side
increases, provided it survives the winter.

4. This type blooms both spring and fall but actually should be
classified as a once-bloomer since each rhizome blooms but once with the
increases not maturing during the one growing season.  The most mature
rhizomes of the clump bloom in the spring; the less mature bloom in the
fall.

5. A fifth type, a genuine rebloomer, blooms early in the spring, often
with the Standard Dwarfs.  By the end of the blooming season it has gone
into a dormant stage and is ready for transplanting.  During the middle
of the summer it remains dormant and is often rather unsightly.  Early
in August it comes to life, rapidly shooting up fans and blooms stalks
which perform until cut down by the first hard freeze.

6. A sixth type, likewise a genuine rebloomer, blooms with the earliest,
matures side increases with great rapidity, has a second full reblooming
period in the middle of the summer, and matures its side increases and
goes into a complete third cycle in September and October.    

7. A seventh type, and one which most nearly approaches the everbloomer
that we have, is the iris which constantly matures increase, sending up
bloomstalks whenever the rhizome has matured sufficiently.

I wanted to quote from this article to show that certain genetic factors
must be considered before piling on the ice cubes.

Hope this helps!

Rick Tasco
Superstition Iris Gardens
Central California....... High 64F 
Zone 8
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