THE IRIDACEAE [IRIS] FAMILY - 2015

Hi Silu,

They look really nice but what I'm after is one of the deep bluey/purple ones. I think the name of it is "Blue King".

If I see any "Silver Edge" I'll get one and we can share

 

Had a look at Blue King on the net, the photos vary a lot! For instance, the photo below is of Blue King being sold by a company called Deveron Water Lilies, this looks identical to what I've got and other Blue Kings look as tho they have much bigger blooms which I'm thinking will be what you want and they look really nice. Sorry I don't have what you are looking for. If I see the bigger/darker bloomed Blue King on my travels I'll be in touch.

 

Here is yet another colour form of the many Iris foetidissima that I have..............

 

This is a photo of my Japanese Iris (Ensata?) which has taken two years to build up enough growth in which to flower.I tried these before but lost them so this time we bought a large square pot with no drainage holes and used low fertiliser soil because I wasn't sure whether these plants don't need too much fertiliser although this year I have just two buds mainly I think because the plant is still finding its feet so to speak.I have kept the pot quiet damp not letting it dry out in this years drought.

I used to have loads of Iris but lost a bit of interest in them over the last few years but will now concentrate on the Siberian types as they need less care than some of the other species...

 

Iris Ensata 'Moonlight Waves'

 

Snap - I've got one of those
Sorry, I should say had one as Sue bellyached so much about it that it's now over the road in her garden. My fault as I started her off on Irises and she is now building up a collection. She's now harping on about wanting a couple of my Iris foetidissima!

 

Lovely Iris @Sheal,do you grow yours in your flower border or in a container?I am trying to find the best conditions for mine and if I can get them to survive a harsh winter hope to build up a collection of these

 

Longk......you'll have to pinch some back when it's developed a bit more.

Kandy.....Irises are one of the few plants that will put up with my coastal position and the erratic weather here on the island. They are all in a bed and love the sandy soil, they are happy being starved although they are sheltered from the worst of the weather. I can't help you with the winter situation as ours are generally quite mild, although the Iris survived a freak snowstorm in 2013 that buried them for nearly a month.

 

I have every intention of doing just that!

 

A new one for me. I have seed heads on my Irises so will they grow true to their parent plants if I make use of them? Also, how long should I leave it before harvesting them please? The pods are quite swollen and I can see through them enough to know the seeds are well developed but still white.

 

When the seed is ripe the pods will split open. They may or may not (more likely) come true but it is free to find out!
They need cold stratification so are best put in a cold frame ready for spring germination.

 

Thanks Longk, I'll give it a go and see what happens.

 

As this thread covers the Iris family, here's my Tigridia

 

It is indeed for the whole family

Sadly both of my Dietes species are refusing to bloom this year

 

Hi Longk,

Which have you got ? I like the white form if bicolour best. Another plant I had years ago.

Do you think they could just be late this year ? I've got 10 Tigridia, this one has just gone over, one is about to bloom and there are about another about another 6 just beginning to bud.