Newsletter - SA Iris Society

Editorial

Thank you for the opportunity to serve as Secretary for the club for the following year. Any correspondence may now be sent to S.Westbrook 13 Elmo Avenue, Westbourne Park, SA 5041 or via email to sandrawestbrook@optusnet.com.au.

What an idyllic time of the year this is for all of us gardeners. Time to tidy up all that summer growth and to prepare our gardens for the coming winter. Lovely calm sunny days in the garden, when we just keep going, almost forget the time and when to call it a day. There always seems to be just one more little job to do before we down tools.

I always feel the best part of the day is when you finally stand up ease that aching back and just look around and contemplate on what you have achieved, all the while formulating in your head what you would like and plan to do in the garden next.

I am sure all of our Iris will be getting a little extra T.L.C. this year with the convention just around the corner. All of us wanting to provide and showcase the best of what our Iris gardens have to offer.

2006 Iris Convention

The organization and planning for the 2005 Convention is moving ahead, thanks to the dedication and hard work of our committee and other members. This is an event that should be shared with all of our members. What a wonderful opportunity to show what the S.A. Iris Society is all about and just what we can all achieve and have to offer

We need everyone to step forward and volunteer any help that they can to make this a success. No matter how small a contribution you can make it will be appreciated and will be of help to your fellow members.

Time also to start thinking about registering for some of the Dinners, Bus Tours, Guest Speakers and accommodation if required.

Rebloom

There was some discussion on rebloomers at the March club meeting as you will see in the minutes. I was interested to see this item in our May Newsletter for 1999.

Rebloom:

“Graham and Shirley Hughes patch of dark blue-purple TB at Victor Harbor is still reblooming with more spikes coming. This was one of the first re-bloomers reported this year. Pagan Dance is blooming for the Watson’s and Light Beam for the Turners. Sue Stribley brought in blooms of Soap Opera and Dutch Chocolate. Ann Pearce brought Baby Blessed, Earl of Essex and Feedback (what a scent!!)”

W. A. Regions Trial Garden Results

We have just been sent the W.A. Regions Trial Garden results. Congratulations to Peter Jackson on winning an award.

Reminders

(1) Membership fees are now due. Thanks to all who have renewed their membership fees for 2005.You are reminded that fees are due at the A.G.M. Your membership stays current for 3 months after the A.G.M. and then lapses if not paid. Fees can be paid at a meeting or post a cheque or money order to Marg Kuchel PO Box 441 Strathalbyn S.A. 5255.

(2) If you are potting any Iris ready for sale at this years show please use potting mix and not garden soil.

(3) Don’t forget our monthly club flower competition commencing at our next meeting in April.

(4) This is your Newsletter and so if you have any news, stories or information to impart please let me know and I will endeavour to include same in our newsletters in the future.

(5) With the onset of autumn, the Mt. Lofty Botanic gardens is always well worth a visit when all those lovely autumn colours start to form. A great excuse for a Sunday drive.

Biscuits

Finally in answer to Natalie’s request for recipes for biscuits to serve to our visitors for morning tea on our Bus Trips at the Convention later this year. Here is a family favourite.

Coconut Jam Biscuits

Cream butter and sugar add egg. Fold in flour and coconut alternately with milk. Roll into small balls. Press hole in centre and fill with jam.

Give them a try and if they are given the O.K. I will make a batch for the visitors at the Convention.

Welcome: President Julia Jacobs welcomed new member Nancy Kopunic and then Sandra Westbrook to the position of Secretary.

WA Iris Society News Letter, African Violet Soc. Re: 2005 Show, Adelaide Botanic Gardens, Re:Garden Party Invitation, Enfield Horticultural Soc. Re: Autumn Show, Aust. Plants Soc. Re: Native Plant Sale, Barossa Rose and Flower Show, Re:2005 Show, Nambour Garden Club, Re 2005 Convention, Adelaide Zoo: Renewal of Sponsorship. The sponsorship of the Fallow Deer “Iris” is now due for renewal by the Club. It was decided to continue with the sponsorship .

Insurance Policy - The current Insurance Policy for the club with the firm of Scott and Broad Pty. Ltd is now due and payable for the sum of $244-65.

The number of rhizomes donated for the Littlehampton Market did not warrant continuing with the project and consequently all donated rhizomes were offered for sale to club members present at the meeting with all those not being sold to be taken by members to grow on for club sales at the show during the Convention

John Turner reports that the Iris which were planted by members in Pennington gardens in April of last year are doing very well and blue Iris could be seen flowering there in early March.

Colleen Modra brought in a spike of Double Shot and one of Anxious. She would like to investigate the theory that re-bloomers are affected by the level of ph in the soil .She is asking that members test their soil and to let her know the Ph level and what Iris re-bloom in their gardens. Colleen also reported that she received an increase in requests for Spurias at the Car Park Capers this year and feels that they are gaining in popularity.

Natalie Houba bought in two Newsletters from the U.S.A. both featuring articles on Peter Jackson and pictures of Louisianna Iris.-Remember Paris Wine country x Garnet Storm Dancer

Ronda Burg showed pictures taken of Iris flowering in her garden and asked members if they could identify same. Colleen and Ann thought one was Bountiful Harvest and another Wish Waltz.

Ann Head states that she has received an email from Linda Mann in America asking for details of cultivars that re-bloom. Any that have been introduced to Australia from 1980 onwards. Attached is a form which she asks that members fill out listing re-bloomers as well as the PH level in their soil. .Please return these forms either to Ann or to the club. She also states that our 2005 Convention is now on the American Website www.iris-conventions.com

The Goodwood Community Centre is no longer able to accommodate us for our Annual Show because of other regular bookings. The Exec. And Show Committee will now need to investigate other options for the long term and report their suitability back to members

It is proposed that we hold a monthly flower competition. The will be a section for cut flowers.

Julia Jacobs to analyse the Floral art initially with others to follow. Theme for Floral Art to be as follows:

The competition is thought to be good for members to practice their skills for the show. Amendment to Rules for Exhibiting under section -Convenors/Stewards.

Rule Three to be changed to – “3. Check that no exhibitor has more than two entries per class”. Moved John Turner, seconded Nancy Kopunic - Carried

Natalie Houba informed us that it is intended to serve home made biscuits for morning tea to those going on the Bus Tours during the Convention and asks for recipes for plain biscuits and later on for volunteers to bake them.

Gwen Alexandrou read through the Convention Program and discussed time constraints. Also a request for Registration forms to be filled in and returned

Darelle Watson is compiling a memorabilium to display and requests any items of interest. She is also planning to set up a table entitled “Who am I” whereby members can display any Iris that they would then hope to have identified.

Julia again reiterated the need for volunteers, especially for setting up for Dinners and at Registration. Small Iris will also be in demand for table centres. Help also for the Show and for the decoration of the shores venue, stage & foyer. This is a massive job which will require a lot of hard work and plenty of volunteers.

Guest Speakers will include Rita Gorman and Judy Kiesling from St. Louis U.S.A.-Growing Median Iris Heather Prior –Friendship Garden Pam Hilton- Dutch Iris Pat Toolan - Arils, Colleen Modra –Spurias Peter Jackson-Louisiana Iris

There will be displays by various S.A Garden Clubs and floral art groups as well as stands for commercial growers. The Minister for Tourism J. Lomax- Smith will open the show. On the Saturday night at the welcome dinner a Fashion Parade will be presented by members followed by an Auction-any donations gratefully received. There will then be a Guest Speaker. Raffles will be conducted during the Convention. At least 10 prizes to be won. There is still some sorting to be done to the show program. Some changes to the cut flower section and the Floral Art Sections will feature more Aust. Themes

Our Next Meeting will be on the 14^th April at the Goodwood Community Centre