Re: Re: OT BIO: Steve Mahlberg

Laurie,
I started growing irises about 10 or 12 years ago. I'd obtained only a few different colors from a friend back then. A long story shortened a bit here... I moved to Oregon about two years ago and entrusted the garden to my family. Well, I got beck here to Minnesota in February this year. When I checked on the plants after the thaw, they hadn't been cared for and after they grew, none had flowered. ODD? Not really. I had the plants in our back yard and side of our house. Well, our back yard is fairly wet, so the I. versicolors didn't care and faired well. But the others had gotten overgrown by grasses and what not. A lot of the bulbs sank down a bit and suffered from rot. EWWW.... The one's on the side had gotten overgrown also, but being much drier, didn't get enough water to do anything. They were plants I'd divided before I moved (which was not anticipated at the time) and I wasn't sure what they'd do anyway....
Well, last month I dug up what I could (about 20 rhizomes of various sizes). I think that mostly purple/white plants survived (based on where I HAD them planted). They were the hardiest and gave the nicest largest flowers regardless of the conditions (within reason). Unfortunately the name was never given to me so now that I am getting my Iris garden established at my new home, I will have to wait and see if I get any of my old stock to bloom this upcoming season. Then I can get some snapshots and hopefully get help identifying who the plants may be... *fingers crossed*
With that said, I planted a few 'kmart specials' this year and will see how they get along here in Zone 3(4) by the lake. (Superstition, Sheer Bliss, Dover Beach, and the unid purple/white). I am planning on furthering my iris bed this upcoming season so I can work on hybridizing blues, whites, and who knows what else with about 20 new varieties including mostly newer TB's but some of the historic ones as well. Who knows where else I may go. I'm considering working with the species crosses a bit too...
Have you experimented with hybridizing irises at all?
As you noted, it's nice to know of the plants that can tough it out here. They'd also be good candidates for potential crosses to ''toughen up'' some of the warmer climate flowers. (wishful thinking) 
 
thanks for the greeting...
steve
 
 
 laurief wrote:>My name is Steve Mahlberg and I live in NE Minnesota Zone 4.

Hi Steve,

Welcome to the list!  It's always great to see another Minnesotan join 
the list.  Misery loves company (just kidding, sorta).  Bearded irises 
can be challenging in our climate, though they may be less so for you if 
you live near the big lake with somewhat more moderate winter temps and 
more lake effect snow.  I've had good iris years here inland and bad 
years.  Last winter was a bad year.  If we get decent early snowfall that 
sticks around all winter, this year will be MUCH better.

What exactly do you grow in terms of beardeds - modern TBs or older ones? 
Any dwarfs or medians?  Have you tried your hand at Siberians or 
Japanese?  Which TBs are the most vigorous and healthiest growers for you 
(always on the prowl for those cvs that can tough it out here)?

Best of luck in your hybridizing pursuits,

Laurie






-----------------
laurief@paulbunyan.net
http://www.geocities.com/lfandjg/
USDA zone 3b, AHS zone 4 - northern MN
clay soil


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