Newsletter: April 2006
SOUTH AUSTRALIAN IRIS SOCIETY Inc.
TRIAL GARDENS by Ann Head
Why it is important to have iris trial gardens in South Australia?
It is probably easiest if I start with describing the value of the trial garden to the hybridizer, and then explain how that then benefits the iris growing public.
Basically, any iris hybridizer has certain problems to contend with in seedling evaluation. Firstly, no matter how hard you try; it is very difficult to be truly objective in evaluating your own seedlings. It is difficult with any kind of judging not to let your personal preferences in colour; form, etc. get in the way. It is even more difficult when the irises under consideration are your own “babies”. Secondly, one variety can perform very differently in different gardens, and so it is difficult to make a sound decision on whether or not to introduce a promising seedling solely on the basis of its performance in your own garden.
Therefore, the opportunity to trial seedlings in a state trial garden is very valuable to hybridizers. It enables them to see how their creations perform in a garden with different soils and a different, but similar climate. It also provides an opportunity for independent evaluation of their seedlings by judges. In the trial garden setting, seedlings are labelled only with a trial garden numbering system, so that judges can evaluate the irises purely on their merits, free of personal bias (conscious or otherwise) concerning the hybridizer. That kind of feedback is very useful, especially the variety has been judged by quite a few judges.
Trial gardens in Australia have a sequential 3-tier award system, High Commendation (HC), Honourable Mention (HM), and the Award of Merit (AM). A variety, which wins an HC within two years in the trial garden, then becomes eligible for another 2 years in the garden, and the possibility of an HM. Winners of an HM, once named and registered, become eligible for another 2 years in the garden, and a possible Award of Merit. Irises, which win an AM, (or, in some cases, a special trial garden award) become eligible for entry to the Dykes Medal Trial Gardens.
The Australian Dykes Medal competition involves 8 trial gardens across the country. Each variety eligible for the competition is entered into all gardens simultaneously, so they can be judged by a number of experienced iris judges, across a variety of different growing conditions. The variety receiving the highest average score receives the Australian Dykes Medal. If the Dykes Medal winner is a bearded variety, then the highest-scoring beardless variety receives the ISA Medal, and vice versa.
Okay, now you know a little about the trial garden system, and why hybridizers enter plants for trialing, you may be asking “but how does this benefit me?” The answer is simple: It helps hybridizers to produce better varieties for you to grow. And knowing that an iris has won an award like the Dykes Medal tells you that it is a variety which is a good grower, not only in the hybridizer’s own garden but in test gardens across Australia. The system is not perfect, but it is useful.
Our new South Australian trial garden at Colleen & Les Modra’s property has had a few teething problems so far, but hopefully those are now being sorted out. However, to work well, a trial garden needs judges, so I would urge anyone who has qualified as an iris garden judge to visit the trial garden as often as possible during bloom season to judge the varieties in bloom.
FOR this MONTH – Your Aril Irises may be starting to wake up from their summer sleep and green shoots will be seen above ground. Bulb food, course gravel and a sprinkling of superphosphate may be broadcast lightly over the emerging shoots when rain is imminent.
NB. Entries of rhizomes to the Trial Gardens close 30 April 2006. Don’t miss your chance!!
LIBRARY HIGHLIGHTS by Ann Head
“The Myth of the Old” by Suz Winspear, pp 73 –
74, 1991 British Iris Society Yearbook
This is a fascinating article, which questions the common belief that
the latest tall bearded irises are not as hardy or vigorous as the older
varieties. Definitely thought provoking, and an article everyone should
read.
KEEP this DATE FREE
A bus trip is being organised for Sunday 12th
November to visit gardens on the Fleurieu Peninsula for a pleasant
Sunday out.
Refer to Minutes of the April Meeting.
NEXT MONTH - Meeting 11th May.
Guest Speaker – John Gay of Murray Bridge – Orchids
Floral Design title - Mothers Day
Supper co-ordinators – Pam Hilton and Nell Tanner.
Viewing the video of our last show, it was really enjoyable to see the talent of floral designers in our Society. I am looking forward to see some designs come in this month to add colour and interest to our meetings.
THOUGHT for the MONTH – Children are natural mimics who act like their parents despite every effort to teach them good manners.
Minutes 13 April 2006
Meeting opened 7.40pm
President: Julia Jacobs welcomed 19 members present.
Apologies: Margaret Douglass, Graham Kuchel, Doreen Churchill, Marlene Gibson, Betty Parsons Belinda Meredith, Terry Pomeroy.
Minutes of the previous meeting were adopted after correction. Moved Ronda Burg, seconded John Turner. Carried.
Correspondence:
Australian Gov. Tax Office - ABN effective from 15 March 2006
Goodwood Community Centre, Australia Post, WA Iris Society, Royal Zoo Society of SA Inc., British Iris Society Newsletter, Rose Society of SA,Enfield Horticultural Society, Aril Society International, Chrysanthemum and Floral Art Society, Fern Society, American Iris Society.
Treasurers Report
Moved M.Kuchel, sec. Ronda Burg the above be accepted. Carried
MovedColleen Modra, sec Natalie Houba that the account be paid to the Zoo – adopt a Fallow Deer “IRIS” -$50. Carried
Other accounts
Newsletter $68.65
American Iris Society Membership
Moved Margaret Kuchel, Seconded Colleen Modra that these be paid. Carried
Subscription to the following magazines –
Tall Bearded Iris Society - $25 US / annum / 2 copies
Reblooming Iris Recorder - $18 US + postage / annum / 2 copies
Moved Ann Head, seconded Natalie Houba, Carried.
New Business
1.Bus Trip – Sunday 12 November.
Goolwa Bus and Coach Pty Ltd – 50 seater coach,
To visit
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Morning tea at Chapman Park McLaren Vale,
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Richardson’s Garden - Naroo Tarn McLaren Vale.
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Lunch - Wild Rose Cottage and Minature Village - Victor Harbour
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Pt Elliot - Paul and Annette Sabel’s Garden
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Afternoon tea at Strathalbyn - John and Christine Waters - Appletree Cottage.
Iris Society members free
General Community - $40 all inclusive
All society members are to register their attendance by September 14 meeting after which members of the community will be invited.
Kangaroo Island Garden Club members are to be invited to join the trip.
Moved John Turner, seconded Edna Pongrac that the $620 be paid in full to secure the coach. Carried.
2. Guest Speaker for 9th November meeting – Teresa Bignell of Naracoorte – Daylilies. Marlene Gibson to co-ordinate.
Because of distance the guest speaker will entertain us at 7.30pm. Supper, business and presentation of Show Awards will follow.
3. Club meeting show bench aggregate points for 2005
Cut Flowers - 1st - Julia Jacobs
2nd - John Turner
Floral Design – 1st - Margaret Kuchel
2nd - John Turner
A beautiful Iris tray was awarded to the first prize winners.
4. Colleen Modra informed the meeting that the website for Iris Society of Australia is www.irises.org.au
5. Entries of irises for the trial garden closes 30 April, 2006
Show Bench – Judge - Pat Toolan
1 Stem of TB Iris – 1. “Rosalie Figgey” - Colleen Modra
2. “Matrix” - Colleen Modra
1 Stem of Species Iris - 1. Iris Germanica - John Turner
2. Algerian Iris - John Turner
1 Stem Iridacea - 1. Phytocenthius - Margaret Kuchel
1 Cut of any garden bloom ( Multiple head) - 1. Nerine - John Pongrac
2. Chrysanthemum (White) - John Turner
3. Daylily (Pirates Quote) - Colleen Modra.
1 cut of any garden bloom (Single Floret) - 1. Paciflora Alata (Passion fruit) - Colleen Modra
- 2. Cyclamen - Margaret Kuchel
- 3. Rose (Sylvia) - Margaret Kuchel
Thankyou to John and Edna Pongrac for setting up the Show Bench.
Show and Tell
Colleen Modra explained to us the origin of the iris “Rosalie Figgey”. It is a beautiful deep purple iris which is a generous rebloomer – up to five times per year. This particular iris needs to be divided to inhibit the flowering season. Colleen paid tribute to Rosalie Figgey, an ardent iris grower and a very active in the field of Iris, who died recently aged in her mid ninties.
Ann Head - An article in the international magazine “The Reblooming Iris Recorder”, featured the statistical work Ann Head has carried out on “Reblooming Iris”.
John Turner displayed two pictures featuring iris, which he recently purchased in Mt Gambier.
Margaret Kuchel showed us a beautiful cup and saucer. Iris with a difference.
Auction - Two Iris pictures and a set of matching placemats and coasters were auctioned.
Meeting Closed – 9 p.m
Guest Speaker
Supper was served after which a video was shown and presented by Gwen Alexandrou. The video was a summary of our Convention Tours, dinners, seminars and Iris Show Spectacular from 2005.
President Julia presented Gwen with a gift and thanked her and husband John for the time and effort put into the editing of various films and photos to show us a comprehensive insight into the activities of the event.
