Newsletter: March 2006
SOUTH AUSTRALIAN IRIS SOCIETY Inc.
It has been perfect autumn weather, crisp mornings and lovely warm calm days. John has cut back our Algerian iris –Ungalaris- Winter iris and it is already starting to reward us with delicate blue flowers which rise above the foliage. Eventually the flowers will crown the clump with their delicate beauty.
Just to let you all know that we now have a letterbox for our correspondence-
South Australian Iris Society
PO Box 355
Highgate SA 5063
Please direct all mail to this address.
Don’t forget to refer to last months Newsletter for your programme and floral art titles. See you all Thursday 13 April 2006 at 7pm for 7.30 commencement of meeting.
THE STRIBLEY IRIS STORY
We have a clump of the old pale lavender iris at our place – I don’t know what it is or where it came from - probably my mother gave it to me many years ago when I had no interest in gardening, let alone iris, but nevertheless it was planted - and ignored.
For many years this is basically what iris represented to me until one day I saw a two tone pink & burgundy in someone’s garden. This kindled a slight response in the brain cells and when I saw an ad regarding an iris garden open day in McLaren Vale (mid 90s) we took a drive down there. As most people reading this would appreciate, I was blown away – just could not believe the range of colours, and the ruffles!! But also couldn’t believe the prices! Anyway we lashed out and spent a whole $20!! – on Feminist and Gentle Rain.
Then, as happens, I mentioned this to an acquaintance at work and she happened to be just in the process of digging out all of her irises and going native, so did I want them? After careful consideration, lasting all of two seconds, I said why not, and consequently brought home bags of the things. The rest, as they say, is history. The more I had the more I had to have - after a few years we started selling the odd few here and there so I could afford to buy the newer releases and so it goes on. I joined the Iris Society late in 1996 and learned so much more about these wonderful plants. After this of course came the hybridising - but that’s another story.
We now have over 700 varieties plus seedlings in our garden and every year can’t wait for the beauty they bring in springtime. Individually I’m not a fan of their “perfume” but the scent which hangs in the evening air in our valley is magnificent.
We may be many years down the track now but we still have our very large clump of old lavender iris at our place – still ignored, never watered, never weeded but every year it gives us dozens and dozens of lavender spikes. I may not look after it but I do treasure this first iris of mine.
Sue Stribley
Library Highlights by Ann Head
March – April is a good time to plant iris seeds, so I thought anyone with seeds to plant might be interested in having a look at some of the articles on seed germination in the library. There are at least 3 articles in back issues of the American Iris Society Bulletin in the library:
“Doubling the Germination Rate: The Leaching Method” by Michele & Jean-Luc Bersillon, pp 104 – 112, AIS Bulletin No. 336, January 2005
“Iris Reproduction” by Don Spoon, pp 43 – 54, AIS Bulletin No. 329, April 2003
“Bearded Iris Seeds” by George Sutton, pp 58 – 59, AIS Bulletin No. 313, April 1999
The first two articles listed are technical in parts, but contain some useful information. One thing that all three articles have in common is that the writers soak the seeds in water for 10 days (changing the water each day), to leach germination inhibitors out of the seed coat. This improves first-year germination rates.
Some of the information on planting methods in these articles may not be relevant for our climate – George Sutton lives in a similar climate, but the method he uses is more labour-intensive than mine (although I think he probably gets a higher germination rate overall). If you are interested in a “no-fuss” method, there is a folder in the library with notes on what I do – but having now read the above articles, one change I will be making is to soak the seeds for longer than I have before.
The articles listed above (with the possible exception of the Don Spoon article) are predominantly concerned with bearded iris seeds, although some of the methods may also be suitable for other types. For more information on germination of seeds from arils, beardless, and species irises, see:
“Raising Aril Iris from Seed using Forced Germination” by Geoff Wilson, pp 50 – 52, 57 – 58, British Iris Society 2005 Yearbook.
“Growing Irises from Seed” by Ron Isles, pp 29 – 30, New Zealand Iris Society Bulletin No. 166, June 2005
Or on the internet: http://www.cdn-iris.ca/seeds.html
(This includes some information which originally came from SIGNA).
Recommended a lovely place to visit –
POMONA COTTAGE
55 Pomona Road
Stirling
Is available for – Garden Club Tours, Small Weddings and Wedding Photography,
Features include – Hedges. Stone walls and steps lend definition to this colourful award-winning formal garden landscaped over five levels. Different themes include secret garden, rose parterre, rotunda and Japanese water garden with cascades and pools. Seasonally enticing floral and foliage displays.
A plant lovers paradise with plants for sale.
The garden was nominated for a 2005SA Grat Award.
Garden Club Tour Admissions: $5/ head which includes tea/coffee and home made slices and biscuits.
For further information ring Jack on 0432 370 144
Thought for the Month – Blessed is the person who is too busy to worry in the daytime and too sleepy to worry at night.
Minutes 9 March 2006
Meeting opened 7.40pm
President: Julia Jacobs welcomed 21 members present. Special welcome to John and Edna Pongrac and guests George and Linda Thompson.
Apologies: Rosemary Turner, Margaret Douglass, Graham Kuchel, Peggy Lane, Peter and Pam Jackson, Doreen Churchill.
Minutes of the previous meeting………………..
Correspondence:
1. Thankyou card from Muriel Watson ( in her own hand writing) for her 95th Birthday Greetings. Also a thankyou note from her daughter Darelle.
2. From Pomona Cottage at Stirling re hire and bookings of same.
3. Guidelines of the Western Australian Iris society Trial Garden
4. Newsletter from the W.A Iris Society
5. A letter of deep appreciation of the 2005 Iris Convention and K.I. tour from Vic, Jean, Ivy and Peter of Victoria who all thoroughly enjoyed every aspect.
Treasurers Report – attached Sheets
Moved M.Kuchel, sec. N.Kopunic the above be accepted.
Moved m. Kuchel, sec. E. Pongrac that the following accounts be paid - $250 hire of meeting hall, $76 for new mailbox, and $96.25 for photocopying.
New Business
The 2005 Convention account was presented by Gwen, copies passed around. Full break up of Convention Show expenses and income will appear in the Newsletter
Address and location of the new mailbox was explained, - Box 355, Highgate, 5063, S.A.
The N.S.W. Trial Gardens results revealed that Sue Stribley and Margaret Kuchel were successful with their entries.
Julia reported only four members attended the S.A Trial Garden weeding day at Charleston. The job took 11/2 hours. In future the Trial Garden is to be weeded monthly.
Supper helpers - roster to go in Newsletter and to be announced at Iris Society meetings.
Sympathy card to Don and Ronda Burg on the loss of his brother.
Julia urged all members to sign the attendance sheet record at the door for insurance purposes.
Special birthday greetings to member Joy Maxwell of Balaklava, who in attendance, was sharing her birthdate, 9 March, with our patron Mrs. Elma Cole now 90 years, widow of the famous S.A.Iris grower Gilbert Cole. Joy explained how her love of iris began by visiting Gilbert Cole’s garden some years ago with fellow irisarian Peggy Lane, and the beauty of the large well organised garden, now no longer in existence, enraptured them both.
John Turner reported as convenor of the spring time bus trip that plans and bookings are well in hand for 12 November, more details next meeting.
John Alexandrou spoke on incorporating the national body of Australian Iris Societies. John has accepted the position of public officer of both the national body and the S.A. Iris Society.
Edna Pongrac volunteered to convene the Show Bench table at future meetings. Judges are at the president’s discretion.
Julia reminded members to purchase the Iris Culture booklet from the treasurer at $3 per copy.
Discussion was given to closure of entry times for future shows. More discussion is needed at future meetings.
Show Bench
STEM OF IRIS –1. no award
2. Julia Jacobs, Lo Ho Silver
3. Julia Jacobs, Blue eyed Susan
BEARDED FLORET –
2. Ronda Burg
CUT FLOWERS -
1. Julia Jacobs, pineapple lily
2. Betty Parsons, belladonna lily
3. Sue Stribley, dahlia
FLORAL ART -
1. John Turner, Commonwealth Games theme
Guest Speaker - George Thompson, - a highly entertaining address on Australian bred roses, their beginnings, needs, adaptability, and place in the market. After emigrating from Scotland in 1958, George began his rose growing at Stawell in Victoria before moving to where roses grow best, (Adelaide is the rose capitol of Australia). George showed wonderful slides of named varieties, all Australian bred, both old and new, which had us rushing to purchase the potted beauties he had on sale, all of course in bloom. Truly an enlightening and clever man, well done George! In giving George a vote of thanks, John Turner presented George with S.A.wine and iris rhizomes, which George said with his usual smile –‘they make ideal companion plants for roses `. We could not agree more!
Meeting Closed – 9.30 p.m.
