Re: New to me
- To: i*@rt66.com
- Subject: Re: New to me
- From: C*@aol.com
- Date: Sun, 15 Sep 1996 20:08:07 -0400
In a message dated 96-09-14 17:44:07 EDT, you write:
> I. gracilipes is from
>Japan and scarse even in its natural habitat. I had it once from an English
>nursery 40 years ago and have only seen it listed once since. Lost the first
>winter even though I kept it in my garage above freezing.Its in the same
>section as I. cristata and about the same size.
I have not had great success with I. gracilipes either, although my last
attempt did last long enough to get blooms on both the violet form and the
white form (I. gracilipes alba). One person who grows this species really
well is Barbara Schmieder in Concord, MA. Barbara is currently the AIS
Regional Vice President for Region 1 (ME, MA, VT, NH, RI and CT). This
species is very delicate and lovely, but apparently does not like the hot and
humid VA summers...that is always when it has died on me...not in winter. If
I were going to try again (and I probably will), I would obtain the plants in
the spring (not summer of fall) and plant in partial shade. I. forrestii is
not one for the south...it just doesn't do well in my climate, nor does its
close relative I. wilsonii...or the other 40 chromosome Sibericae species.
Clarence Mahan in VA
