Re: Re: CULT: Late Planting

Linda  --  This was a particularly helpful bit of information, since I am
both planting and sending stuff this late (October) for the first time, and
have been a bit concerned.  --  Griff


----- Original Message -----
From: "Linda Mann" <lmann@volfirst.net>
To: "iris- talk" <iris@hort.net>
Sent: Tuesday, October 04, 2005 11:17 AM
Subject: [iris] Re: CULT: Late Planting


> Interesting observation, Neil.
>
> I haven't noticed what you describe, but have such strong preconceptions
> <!> <g> about cultivar differences, I might have overlooked it.
>
> I've ordered late from Schreiner's for the last three? or four yrs, this
> will be the fifth.  Planted in mid to late October.  Mostly because it's
> so hot and allergenic during the summer, I don't get inspired to buy new
> stuff until it starts to cool off in the fall.
>
> The first two years, I covered with Reemay and left the cover on all
> winter; the last two, I left them uncovered.
>
> Thinking back, ...hmm, I started detailing which years did what, but
> can't do it very well from memory and don't have time to look it all up
> right now.
>
> A few have gone on to grow and bloom with gusto beginning with the first
> year here (best example is AVALON SUNSET).  Others have grown well, but
> bloom is usually frozen out.  Several have bloomed well the following
> spring, have made fertile pollen, set pods, but have steadily dwindled
> in following years.  Some of these manage to replace themselves each
> year and some bloom reliably, but not much increase.  Best example is
> SEAKIST.  I think I've had it four seasons? - two fans at present.
>
> Plus the usual majority of dead elephants with no bloom, either dead the
> first season, or gradually over a few years.
>
> Some of the rhizomes I've gotten this late have looked <really> bad -
> totally dehydrated and shriveled up with no green showing in the fan,
> but that hasn't seemed to affect them.
>
> I would prefer planting all of my new stuff this late - at least those
> being grown in significantly better climates for iris, like the west
> coast.  I think it gives them a much higher probability of producing
> fertile bloomstalks the following spring than if they have to live here
> through our horrid summer.  For lines like a lot of the
> Kepple/Blyth/Ghio stuff that can't tolerate the combination of heat and
> heavy rain, it avoids that problem till the following summer.  So some
> of them can at least be grown here as annuals that way.
>
> Last year was my first year to order late from Sutton's and my first
> year not to lose any of the plants they sent.   Not a fair test since we
> had such a mild winter and freeze damage free spring.  But they also
> made it thru the summer in good shape.
>
> Good to hear from you again, Neil.
> --
> Linda Mann east Tennessee USA zone 7/8
> East Tennessee Iris Society <http://www.korrnet.org/etis>
> American Iris Society web site <http://www.irises.org>
> talk archives: <http://www.hort.net/lists/iris-talk/>
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> online R&I <http://www.irisregister.com>
>
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