Showing posts with label aril irises. Show all posts
Showing posts with label aril irises. Show all posts

Monday, November 27, 2023

A Growing Iris Resource on YouTube: Part VI

 by Heather Haley

In this post, I'll continue sharing an update for a growing iris resource on YouTube. The American Iris Society (AIS) uses its YouTube Channel to help organize and disseminate knowledge of the genus Iris, while fostering its preservation, enjoyment, and continued development. Many of the videos available are from the AIS Webinar Series, and their upload was planned for the benefit of all persons interested in irises.

In "A Growing Iris Resource On YouTube: Part I," I shared the origin of the AIS Webinar Series in 2020 as well as descriptions of recorded presentations that brought iris enthusiasts together during the pandemic. As the Webinar Series continued, I shared in Parts IIIII, and IV
The following describes the remaining webinars that AIS volunteers prepared, delivered, recorded, and posted to our YouTube Channel during 2023.

Webinar #31  - “ Judging Bearded Irises as Garden Plants” with Stephanie Markham

Stephanie Markham is an AIS Master Judge and serves as the judges training chairperson for the region she lives in (AIS Region 1).  In this webinar, you can learn about holistic methods that judges use to evaluate bearded irises in the garden for AIS awards.



Alan McMurtrie is a hybridizer of bulbous irises, notably Iris reticulata hybrids. His groundbreaking work has earned him several awards, including the AIS Hybridizer Award in 2019. In this webinar learn about the amazing world of reticulatas; the first iris to bloom after snow disappears.


Webinar #33 - “Historic Iris of Japan” with Chad Harris

Chad Harris has been growing and hybridizing Japanese irises for 40 years, and has introduced more than 30  Japanese irises and 10 species cultivars or species hybrid cultivars. He is an AIS Master Judge, winner of the AIS Hybridizer Award in 2022, and the co-chair of the AIS National Convention in June 2024.  In this webinar, learn about Chad's nine-year effort to research and preserve a collection of historic Japanese irises.

Webinar #34  - “Knowing and Growing Siberian Irises” with Bob Hollingworth

Bob Hollingworth has been growing and hybridizing Siberian irises for more than 40 years. He received the AIS Hybridizer's Award in 1997, and his work includes 11 winners of the Morgan-Wood Medal and creation of the only Siberian iris to win the American Dykes Medal, 'Swans in Flight.' In this webinar, Bob expands on a previous judges training and discusses what it takes to grow Siberian irises and recent hybridizing activities that help us catch a glimpse into the future.


Webinar #35  - “The Exciting Irises of the Middle East” with Dr. Dr. Ori Fragman-Sapir

Dr. Ori Fragman-Sapir has been the scientific editor of the “Flora of Israel and adjacent areas” website and is the scientific director of the Jerusalem Botanical Gardens. He is an expert on the Mediterranean and West Asian floras, as well as on geophytes, plant conservation, and sustainable horticulture. In this webinar, learn about the native irises of Israel and the Middle East, with inclusions from Jordan and Syria.

Webinar #36  - “A Romp Through the Iris Family” with Bob Pries

Bob Pries, in his own words, is a “frustrated botanist who gave up academia to make a living.” Beyond that, however, Bob has used his botanical knowledge and his interest in the Iridaceae to create one of the greatest resources available in the horticultural world, the AIS Iris Encyclopedia (a.k.a. the "iris wiki"), which includes the Ben R. Hager-Sidney P. DuBose Memorial Online Iris Library. In this webinar, learn about cultivation, evolution, and biodiversity within the iris family: Iridaceae.

Friday, August 18, 2023

The American Iris Society Announces the 2023 C. G. White Medal Winner

'BOLD AWAKENING'

Since 1993, the Clarence G. White Memorial Medal has been awarded to the best arilbred iris with 1/2 or more aril ancestry. When Clarence G. White began his work with aril irises, little was known about the complexity of iris genetics. White assembled the largest collection of aril irises in the world and conducted thousands of breeding experiments to obtain viable, fertile seedlings. One of his goals was to develop strong, pure Oncocylus hybrids.

Previous awards winners can be found at https://wiki.irises.org/Main/InfoAwards

Arilbred iris 'Bold Awakening'
photo by Howie Dash

'Bold Awakening' (Richard Tasco, 2016) Seedling 11-AB-02-02. Height 33 in. (84 cm), Early, midseason, late bloom. Standards magenta-rose, veined darker; style arms edged maize, orange-brick red ridge and crest; Falls brick red, veined darker, slight orange glow around oval shaped dark burgundy-black signal; beard hairs based maize, squirrel brown tips. ('Aztec Prince' x seedling 04-AB-03-09: ('Bagdad’s Folly' x 'Energizer')) X 'Exotic Treasure'. Introduced by Superstition Iris Gardens in 2016. 

The World of Irises blog will be posting classification medal winners as soon as the hybridizers are notified. The entire list of winners, including Award of Merit and Honorable Mention, will be published on the AIS website, the AIS Encyclopedia, and later in the AIS Bulletin, IRISES.

Monday, July 15, 2019

Talking About Arilbred Irises

By Maggie Asplet

Aril and Arilbred Iris are not something that you would expect to see a lot of in New Zealand.  We are very fortunate to have Bill Dijk and his wife Willy, living in Tauranga, North Island of New Zealand.

Bill is one of those very lucky people with green fingers.  Whatever he does, it just works and is very able to get the impossible to be possible in our climate, with a lot of hard work I must say.

This article was been written by Bill and he has given me permission to publish his take on Aril and Arilbred Irises.


I. acutiloba susp. lineolate growing in coarse material.

When we talk about the aril irises, two very different types of irises are grouped together under the term "aril".   These are the oncocyclus and regelia irises of the Near East.  Although they have beards, they are not classified with the other bearded irises because they are so different in their makeup. Aril irises have derived their name from a little cream aril or a collar-like fleshy appendage of their seed.

Aril seed cut - showing the embryo

The arils show dark signal spots below the beards with much veining and speckling, in an unbelievable range of colours. Unfortunately, the arils are difficult to grow in all but the warmest and driest regions of New Zealand. I will start off by showing a few true aril oncocyclus/regalia species.  

Close-up of spcekling on I.samariae x I. hermona) X I. kirkwoodiae

In this century, hybrids were produced from crossing the arils with the more common bearded irises. These are called "arilbreds" (ABs), and are usually very easy to grow and still display the spectacular features of the arils. The arilbreds are as diverse in colour and form as they are in their genetic makeup and the combinations of these features make this an exciting and challenging group of irises. Unlike their aril ancestors, arilbreds can be grown successfully in a wide range of climates. They give gardeners the opportunity to enjoy the beauty of aril-type flowers without having to provide the special environment the pure arils require. They usually bloom earlier than the TBs, with the SDBs and the IBs.


I. Sheba's Jewel

Culture of Aril and Arilbred Irises

Arils and arilbreds have a reputation for being difficult to grow. This is partly deserved, but also partly the result of misunderstanding. Unfortunately, the word aril is often used rather carelessly to refer to both arils and arilbreds.  These two types, however, are very different in their cultural requirements and their capacity to grow and thrive without special attention.

Growing the pure arils like the oncocyclus and regelia species successfully is a real challenge, and it’s often a question of understanding their cultural requirements and adjusts them accordingly. Not always easy with our sometimes excessive wet, and humid climate in the Bay of Plenty in New Zealand. A warm and dry climate like central Otago would be more suitable, somewhat similar to their native habitat.

I. paradoxa atrata. Note its small, dark purple falls.

Today's AB’s (arilbreds) are not hard to grow in most climates. A selection of arilbreds interspersed among a bearded iris planting will find that most of them will grow and flower without any special attention; however, some understanding of  their cultural preferences increases the odds, ensuring a greater rate of success.

Although pure arils are not widely grown, a quick review of their cultural requirements is valuable, because it casts some light on the needs of their arilbred descendants.

The aril irises are the oncocyclus and regelia species from the Middle East and hybrids having only aril irises in their ancestry. The oncocyclus in particular have always posed a challenge to gardeners living outside their native region. They go completely dormant in the summer, which leaves them susceptible to rot in rainy climates. Furthermore, they don’t apologise for being temperamental, sometimes thriving for four or five seasons and then simply dying for no obvious reason. Regelia’s are much more adaptable, but still prefer dry hot summers.

Many different methods have been used for growing/protecting oncocyclus irises, especially during their summer dormancy when they must be kept dry. In cool, wet climates, most growers make use of a shelter/cover/frame, greenhouse or any other form of protection. I build this structure (picture) which is open on both sides for extra ventilation, and elevated bed for extra drainage, that is covered with polycarbonate plastic cover to keep the rain out.  I prefer to leave it on all season in our New Zealand climate to control the often excessive rainfall, warm temps and high humidity at the wrong time during the summer, which could results in rotting of the rhizomes.

Raised protected bed for Arils

This way I do control the cultural requirements like watering when needed, air circulation, feeding, and spraying for any fungal or insect problems.

Knowing the cultural requirements of the pure arils, one can take a few basic steps to improve the rate of success with arilbreds. If you have a choice of planting locations, arilbreds should be placed where light and air circulation are best and where drainage is particularly good. Take steps to avoid or reduce excessive soil acidity. Don't make the mistake of coddling them in a sheltered corner for protection from winter cold; such locations may be shadier and damper during the summer months, and lead to more harm than good. It will not be necessary to dig them or protect them totally from rain during the summer, as most arilbreds do not go completely dormant and are not as vulnerable as the pure arils. However, it is still wise to practice very clean culture and keep an eye out for densely overgrown clumps that could benefit from division. Plan on dividing arilbreds every other year; you may even find a few benefits from annual division!

In general, arilbreds of less than half aril content (this includes most arilbred medians) are to be grown exactly like the bearded irises. Giving them special treatment is unnecessary and may even be harmful, if it causes you to depart from tried and true practices that your bearded irises thrive on.

Those of more than half aril content should receive some preferential treatment. They should not require the full-blown summer protection preparations demanded by the pure arils but will appreciate the best drained, most open, preferably slightly raised location your garden can provide.

Preparing the site

For all arils: first and foremost, sharp drainage is important and the prime requisite for successful culture. They are desert plants, so they need full sun for at least two-thirds of the day. If possible, some protection, or shelter, from rain and cold is helpful.

Washed brick sand, granite, course pumice, or other coarse material, can be worked into the soil to improve drainage. There should be a good supply of calcium. (Gypsum can be used to provide calcium and loosen heavy soil.) If the soil is acid, lime should be added. Planting the irises on hills or ridges can help the drainage in marginal soils. Many people plant arils in raised beds where sharp drainage can be "built in."



To summarise:
  •   full sun
  •   sharp drainage
  •   no water in summer for the pure aril irises while dormant.
Normally, the colours of aril blooms are extremely pure as well as clear. Alternatively, their blooms may even have wonderful blotches that contrast the colour of the flowers. When arils are hybridized with the standard bearded irises, the progenies retain a number of these attributes, while some other progenies may have new, but mesmerizing hues, patterns and streaks.

The falls of aril flowers have another typical characteristic. They may have veins and dotting or stippling in subdued or strong shades. These features may also appear in the standards of aril flowers. The dark, circular spots, also known as "signal", which appear at the end of the falls, are another typical trait of the flowers of oncocyclus irises, which distinguishes them from other iris flowers.

Iris mariae

Ideally, arilbred irises should be planted when they are just getting out of their hibernation or dormant period. You should avoid planting irises during the summer heat, as it is very stressful at this time of the year. Similarly, irises should not be planted during the late autumn just before the harsh winter months. In fact, the best time for planting irises is actually subject to the climatic conditions in your region.

Classification:  Nine Types of Arilbreds? Yes, Really

Although for awards purposes, the American Iris Society sorts all arilbreds into only two classes (less than 1/2 aril content and 1/2 or more aril content), the Aril Society International uses a more detailed system of categories that tracks not only the amount of aril content, but also the type of aril content (oncocyclus, regelia, or both).  

Close up of Iris paradoxa

An arilbred with only oncocyclus and bearded ancestry is an oncobred (OB). One with only regelia and bearded ancestry is a regeliabred (RB). If both oncocyclus and regelia ancestry are present, it is an oncogeliabred (OGB). This is by far the largest category.

If the arilbred has less than 1/2 aril content, it is marked with a "-" sign. If more than 1/2, with a "+" sign. If it has 1/2 aril content exactly, neither a "-" or "+" is used.

Aril seed as a rule are not easy to germinate, and there are several methods of germination:
Stratifying,  cutting and forced germination.  Aril iris seeds can be germinated with the following technique.

Forced germination" this is a technique that is often used for pure aril seeds to hasten germination. This method bypasses the need for any cold treatment.  The forced germination procedure involves cutting  with a scalpel or razor blade across the micropyle, across the end of the endosperm and embryo, in order to create an artificial rupturing of the micropylar barrier, which in natural situations germination could take a long time sometimes years to archive.  I use a special sharp grafting knife which I find personally more reliable and safer.

After soaking the seed for a few days in water (with some fungicide) to soften the seed, the aril and half the seed coat is removed, followed by cutting or slicing enough of the endosperm to expose the end of the embryo. I also borrow my wife’s art-craft 5X magnifying desk lamp with build-in lights for more close-up, hands free detail when slicing or cutting the seed.  

Most people do not do this with arilbreds, which germinate more easily.

Some people would try to stratify them and see what germinates first.  Sometimes temperature cycling is used as well. After all of that you could then try cutting or slicing them for faster germination. Be sure to sterilize the seeds before cutting them, especially for fungal protection when germinating seed in plastic bags or damp sterilized paper towels or whatever method you decide to use.

Points to recommend and remember:
1.   Hydration: Soak the seeds for up to a week in water with systemic fungicide.
2.   Remove the aril carefully (if it's an arilated species), cut the skin and slice a little layer to expose the embryo, which will be visible in the little hole of the endosperm.

Slicing aril seed

You need to be careful not to slice off too much of the embryo or you will negatively affect root formation and also risk damage to the embryo.
3. After cutting, put the seeds in damp perlite or vermiculate in little plastic bags.
I prefer damp sterilised kitchen paper towels for germination.
4.   When germination takes place in 2 or 3 weeks -


I prefer to very carefully transplant the little delicate seedlings directly into a 7cm X 9 cm peat pots, with a spray of systemic fungicide, outdoors in a cool, frost free place. Peat pots have the added advantage of no root disturbance when planted on into its permanent place or suitable container.
Having initial success with the germination, either forced or the traditional method is just the start of further necessary and ongoing special cultural treatment of the beautiful oncocyclus/regalia group.
After cutting/slicing I prefer germinating the seed in damp folded sterile kitchen towels, the moisture content when damp imho is just right for steady germination.  I then place the folded kitchen towels in an ice-cream container with the lid securely in place to prevent moisture loss, in a cool part of the nursery ( 10-15 C ). I inspect the seed at regular intervals for any sign of germination, with many seeds showing a radicle after 2-3 weeks in the damp kitchen towels.

I then proceed to very carefully prick out the sprouted seed, one at a time, in a 7cm X 9cm cm peat pot with 50/50 mixture of compost/fine pumice, water carefully to settle in the little seedling properly. Usually the seedlings ( 5-10 cm) will be ready for transplanting in its permanent place after 4-6 weeks. The very important advantages of the peat pots is no transplanting shock to the delicate seedlings, roots will easily penetrate the peat wall with no loss of growth. Don’t forget to spray the young seedlings with an appropriate fungicide at regular intervals for any possible fungal problems.

As is often the case with any specialist area of horticulture, complacency is the biggest killer and there is no substitute for constant observation, care and proper treatment.  The Oncocyclus and Regelia irises constitute an incredible group of plants that deserve nothing but the best.  The sight of just a single flower takes your breath away and a sight to behold.

To quickly summarise again :
    full sun.
    sharp drainage.
    dry for the pure aril irises, no water in summer while dormant.

These are some cultivation notes on how to grow the beautiful aril and arilbreds irises.

Editor's Note: For more information about aril and arilbred iris, contact The Aril Society International.  For more information about irises in general, contact The American Iris Society.

   


Monday, December 10, 2018

California Dreaming 4--Superstition Iris Garden


By Bryce Williamson

Both Phil Williams and I woke up early Tuesday morning, knowing we had a long day ahead of us. The Best Western did provide a breakfast, saving us the time to go look for a place in Merced. And then it was on the road again for the drive up to Superstition Iris Garden in Cathey’s Valley.

On March 22, Superstition received 5.21" of rain with 3.25" of it coming in a one-hour long, vicious thunderstorm. There was a lot of damage in the local area with many bridges washed away. As a result, we could not take Old Highway into the garden, but had to use School House Road instead; however, before we went to the garden, I wanted to see the Detwiler Fire damage so we drove up to the bustling metropolis of Mariposa. Ironically last year’s fire has resulted in wonderful wildflower bloom this spring.

Because Superstition grown medians and arilbreds along with tall bearded, there was a lot to see in the garden. As always, Rick Tasco and Roger Duncan were gracious hosts, letting us first wander around in the named varieties rows before we walked the seedlings with Rick.


Rick Tasco and Roger Duncan

I was especially excited to see some fine arilbred irises:
'Dragon's Eye' (Tasco 2015)

'On the Web' Tasco 2019

'Glow of Love' Tasco 2019

'Vivid Dream' Tasco 2019

This is one of Rick's arilbred medians and the second arilbred median is his Warrior Prince:

'Lucky Dragon' Tasco 2019

'Warrior Prince' (Tasco 2015)

In the named tall bearded iris beds, I liked:

'Ayes Alert' (Burseen 2015)

'Brighton Beach' (M. Sutton 2017)

'Desert Paradise' (Dash 2017)

'Good Morning Beautiful' (Stanton 2012)

Then Rick and Roger walked us through the seedlings and some have been named since I wrote this blog; there was more TB bloom there since the plants had gone into the ground earlier:

Boundless Beauty' Tasco 2019

Tasco14.TB.05.01

Tasco 15.TB.05.09

The additional stock of Rick's 2018 introductions were also by the seedling beds:

'Ice Cream Sundae' Tasco 2018

'Secret Delight' Tasco 2018

'Spring Elegance' Tasco 2018

When we were ready to leave, Roger provided wonderful directions to John and Leslie Painter’s garden by Lake Barryessa. Those great directions saved at least a hour of time on that leg of the on the road trip.
 

Superstition has a printed catalogue and it can be obtained by sending $1.50 to Superstition Iris Garden, 2536 Old Highway, Cathey's Valley, California 95306 for a two year subscription. They can also be reached on Facebook or in email at randrcv@sti.net.


Wednesday, August 29, 2018

IRISES: The Bulletin of the AIS - Summer 2018 Edition

By Andi Rivarola 

A warm welcome to those who are seeing IRISES, the Bulletin of The American iris Society for the first time. If you are a member of The American Iris Society I hope you enjoy this new issue.

The Summer issue of the AIS Bulletin is already available for online viewing and accessible via the Emembers section of the AIS website. The print copy has been mailed via the U.S. Post Office. On the cover this time, the Winner of the 2018 President's Cup, Louisiana iris 'Acadian Sky' by none other than hybridizer Joe Musacchia (R. 2017). Congratulations!

Note: to access this area of the website you must have a current AIS Emembership. (AIS Emembership is separate from the normal AIS membership.) Please see the Electronic Membership Information area of the AIS website for more details.



Don't miss the entire line up of the 2018 Convention Award Winners, on pages 2 and 3.

Our friend, Kelly Norris received an award from the American Horticultural Society, take a look on page 9.

News from the Novelty Iris Society, Species Iris Society and others can be found on "Section Happenings," on page 12. 

News on the AIS Foundation's Ackerman Essay Winners were announced, and you can find the announcement on page 17.

Memories in writing and images of the 2018 New Orleans National Convention extensively covered in this issue on pages 20 — 26. 

Notes and images from the combined Tall Bearded Iris Society and Region 13 Spring iris tour are covered on pages 27 — 31, then on 34 — 35.

We also had an Aril Convention this year, held in Las Cruces, New Mexico beautifully covered on pages 36 — 47.

And, last but not least a very informative article called, 'Winning the Borer War," on pages 48 and 49.

Not a member of The American Iris Society? Please see our website for information about becoming one: http://irises.org/

There's a lot more to see and read in this edition of IRISES, either in digital or print formats.

Happy Gardening!

Monday, August 20, 2018

CG White Medal 2018


The American Iris Society
Announces
THE CLARENCE G. WHITE MEDAL
'BYZANTINE RUBY'

'Byzantine Ruby'--image by Lowell Baumuck

'Byzantine Ruby' (Lowell Baumunk, R. 2009). Standards and style arms lavender lightly veined darker; Falls. lavender, slightly more red than standards, 1½" bright maroon-red signal, darker near diffuse yellow beards. Honorable Mention 2012. Award of Merit 2015.

Since 1993, the Clarence G. White memorial medal has been awarded to the best arilbred iris with 1/2 or more aril ancestry. When Clarence G. White began his work with aril irises, little was known about the complexity of iris genetics. White assembled the largest collection of aril irises in the world, and conducted thousands of breeding experiments to obtain viable, fertile seedlings. One of his goals was to develop strong, pure Oncocylus hybrids.

The entire list of winners can be found at http://irises.org/About_Irises/Awards_Surveys/AIS_Awards.html, the AIS Encyclopedia and later in the AIS Bulletin, IRISES. Pictures can be found at http://wiki.irises.org/Main/InfoAwards2018.

Tuesday, January 9, 2018

New, Exciting Mohr-type Irises

By Bryce Williamson

In my one and only year at Chico State, one of the highlights was the ability to go to Leo T. Clark’s garden at Corning and to see his aril and arilbreds in bloom, irises that sadly had a limited growing range for growth. As a result, I have been keenly interesting in the new generation of Mohr-type arilbreds being introduced, often from a combination of medians and half arilbred irises. Current hybridizers have pushed the colors and patterns into new, exciting directions and the flowers, although only a quarter aril, show more of the aril characteristics that make this exotic group of irises so much fun to view especially since growing the half aril hybrids and pure arils can be a challenge in many climates.

Eye to Eye (Keppel) is an example of more aril-like flowers, including the signal,
and the winner of the 2017 American Iris Society Mohr Medal.
Image by Keith Keppel.

The hope of these new Mohr types is that they will expand the areas where they can be grown with little trouble and bring these exotic, flamboyant flowers to a much larger audience both in The American Iris Society and the general gardening public. For a background on these interesting hybrids, Tom Water wrote a informative World of Irises blog,  Arilbred Iris: A Little History.

Older Mohr type hybrids tended to be crosses of tall bearded irises with, at first, William Mohr, but the new hybrids are using medians and tall bearded irises with variety of arilbred hybrids. I do hope you, as I have done, will add some of these varieties to your garden, expanding your bloom season and bringing fresh colors and patterns into your palette of spring flowers.


Calypso Dancer (Tasco)--image by Rick Tasco

Confederate (Rick Tasco)--image by Rick Tasco

At the present time, the leaders in producing this new generation of Mohr type arilbreds includes Keith Keppel, Paul Black, Thomas Johnson, and Rick Tasco.



 Octave (T. Johnson)--image by Paul Black
 Sri Lanka (T. Johnson)--Image by Paul Black
Suspect (T. Johnson)--image by Paul Black

These are garden irises of limited fertility.  Paul Black in email wrote, "For most here is no fertility, especially the 1/2 breds X SDB....There is a very limited fertility with a few--meaning a seed of two."


His seedling V351A, pictured below, is "the result of Brash and Bold X reblooming TB seedling and there was only 1 seed in the cross, though V351A does show some limited fertility."

Brash and Bold (Black)--image by Paul Black


Black V351A--image by Paul Black

He was extremely lucky with the cross that produced four introductions, ‘Heart of Hearts’, ‘Galaxina’, ‘Perry Dyer’, ‘Red Ahead’ and ‘Soaring Falcon’ are all siblings.  As he wrote, "What a cross!  I’ve gotten a few seed from a couple of them and Adam Cordes has gotten 7 seeds from ‘Heart of Hearts.’"


Soaring Falcon
Red Ahead


 Heart of Hearts

Perry Dyer--images by Paul Black

In responding to my question about the range where these hybrids will grow and bloom, he wrote, "Yes, the aril-medians (1/2 bred X SDB) will grow further south than SDBs.  ‘Desert Snow’ has grown well and bloomed in Manitoba, Canada, and also for Walter Moores in Mississippi.  That probably accounts for its popularity."





Desert Snow--images by Paul Black

At this point, there are only a few sources for plants. Two reputable sources are Mid America and Superstition. Click on the nursery name and it will take you to a link where you can find out more information from the garden owners.