Way Too Much of a Good Thing

After four years with us, our first Iris ensata needed to be divided.  Flowers were few in number this year and the center of the plant featured a hole.  At a cooperative extension presentation on propagating perennials, the speaker described needing an axe to divide an Iris ensata.  We knew that we needed the big tools.  The pry bar and a fulcrum rock lifted the plant easily.

The two spade trick separated the root mass.  One spade was solidly stuck in the plant on first division. It was quite a tussle to free the spade. No injury was sustained be either the spade puller nor the plant and the rest of the divisions were made easily.

We stopped at five pieces.  New to this process, we have no idea what size pieces are best for replanting.  A medium sized piece took the place of the original plant but the question of what to do with the remaining plant material needed an answer.  Going commercial was out of the question as was junking these beautiful plants.  The four remaining plants were taken back to the pond.  There we are trying to replace the goldenrod with some of our favorite plants.  These iris look tough enough to take on the goldenrod.

The surplus issue still looms.  Here are the iris that grew from seed collected last summer.  These plants will likely winter over where they are presently growing but a more permanent solution must soon be found.  Perhaps with more experience we will be able to cast off surplus plants without giving them a second thought.  For now we are beginning to sink under the weight of all of these new plants.

Iris Ensata In Abundance

Our first Japanese Iris has been with us four years.  Year one it established itself but did not flower.  Year two featured a single flower stalk. The color and veining on the flowers were breathtaking.  We were hooked.  We needed to have more Iris Ensata.  Year three we allowed some seed pods to mature.  Some of the collected seeds were placed in a pot in the garden where they spent the winter.  That pot is in the foreground of the photo with a marker stone.  Nature's way has produced sturdy young plants ready to be planted out.

Some of the collected seed was placed in the refrigerator in a plastic bag with a lightly moistened paper  towel.  We were advised to use a fungicide but chose to pass on keeping such a chemical with our food.  On New Year's Day I needed to plant something and selected the iris seeds.  The pot in the background contains the plants from the refrigerated seed.  These much larger plants should flower one year sooner than the plants that spent the winter outside.  The entire project was enjoyable and instructive but what are we going to do with all of these plants?  That question looms even larger with the news that the original plant needs to be divided this year.

Our original plant was purchased as a named variety, Freckled Geisha, but it is not that variety.  Since no flowers were produced until the second year we did not know of the problem within the seller's warranty period.  A different dealer supplied assorted plants but two of the three never found life.  A third dealer, McClure and Zimmerman, has named varieties and plants purchased there arrived intact and are growing.  Flowers will not appear until the second season but we find them worth the wait.

January Planting

Our 2008 order from Van Bourgondien included Iris ensata "Freckled Geisha". The next year the robust plant sent up one flower stalk. and the blooms were incredibly beautiful. This past summer several flowering stalks presented themselves and the original flower can be seen at blog post, Japanese Iris . One seed pod was left on the plant to develop mature seed. When the seed pod looked like it was nearing opening day, it was cut off and placed in the basement to finish drying. Some of the seeds were fall planted in a sunken pot in the garden. Others were placed in a plastic bag and placed in the vegetable drawer of the refrigerator.

January 1 is a day for football and resolutions for many. I prefer to plant something. Thirty gallons of my finest potting soil is in a can in the basement. Twelve ensata seeds went into the ground on New Year's Day. Five have sprouted to date. Their new home near the window of our bedroom is a chilly 64 degrees. Sprouts have appeared several days apart and I expect to see more.

Today I planted a second pot exactly as I planted the first. Twelve seeds were sown in two concentric circles. Plastic wrap will remain in place until the first sprout approaches its surface. Extra time in the refrigerator may improve the germination rate. A second variable beyond my control will keep this experiment unscientific. Stronger sunlight will warm the bedroom more in February and that difference could improve germination.

One final note is necessary. My plant is not "Freckled Geisha". No pictures similar to my plant have been found so I do not know if it is even a named variety. In any event I will have new seedlings to increase the planting of this beautiful plant. Division is scheduled for the original plant this spring. From everything that I have heard this will be an adventure.

Japanese Iris

This lovely Japanese iris, Iris ensata, is blooming for us for the first time. It has been growing here for two years. Typical of mail order plants, the first year's growth established the plant. This year's late frost and early drought followed by monsoon like rain have not fazed this iris. An old order shows "Freckled Geisha" as the variety. I don't see any freckles, but it is a gorgeous flower. As far as I can tell it has no scent. "This iris is happy in standing water and will not tolerate dry conditions" says the catalog. We don't have standing water, but rain we have had aplenty. Today has been the first sunny day without rain in the afternoon for weeks. The regular iris really drowned this year so it's nice to see this one.

We have some real concerns about the garden being so wet. The 4th may be a holiday, but the bees were working overtime on the lemon thyme blossoms.Bees prefer to work on sunny days. Blue sky and sunshine are reason to celebrate this year. Since it's also the 4th I think fireworks are called for!