Now I am in trouble! I saw a tiny little blurb in the paper that the local iris group is having a sale Friday morning.

I have never been to one of these, can someone tell me what to expect? Do I need to take a list of names that I want or will they have pics with them?

I just know that little bitty blurb that any other day I would have missed is gonna get me in a ton of doo doo with DH

I don't know what your local society does but our sale/auction is Saturday. We have a sale of older varieties but ask for quality rhizomes that the members dig. We encourage people to bring rhizomes they would like to buy. We try to have pictures there. We sale those for $3. Later in the day we have an auction of newer varieties that we buy as club orders from several hybridizers. They send newer varieties including some intros which we have an auction for. Great fun. You ought to go even if it is just to meet the people. That may open up many future opportunities.

Thank you! That gives me some idea what to expect. I have not met or been involved with any of the iris people locally so was thinking I would go just to get my feet wet.

I will let you know who it goes...hope your sale is a good time!

Man wish I lived closer! would be a blast to get to head to one of those!

Is there anything you want me to look for while I am there? It is too bad Blanchard is such a drive, heck it would be fun to have an iris buff to go with! I do think my BF is going with me though so it will be fun!

Nah - thank you... there are too many I am looking at and the budget says I must stop for this year... making my list for nest year and we will see what happens... right now just placed last week 4 more Iris orders... I think I have half nuts...

I understand the budget problems! I know I am nuts but I am sure I will buy way more than I need anyway.

Stay out of the heat...108 here right now.

Yikes! I thought we were bad at 100!

Our sale is on Sat. President did ask for names so she could have pictures available. Not all will be shown. You start digging & something new suddenly has to be divided. This is our sale open to the public. We used to do what Paul lists for the newer ones but it is too tiring. Our members auction (you can bring friends) is Aug 6 . Just got 2 boxes of orders today.

Paul is right, even if you don't see what you want, you get to meet people, especially other iris nuts. If you wish something special, a known plant or a certain color, by all means write it down or you will wish you had.

I hear you - hard to do anything... not weeding just watering when it is this hot - almost 30 days strait here ... ready for a break and rain!

They are talking another three weeks of the intense heat here...no real rain expected until late Oct. This is certainly the hottest and driest I ever remember, all springs plantings have taken it pretty hard...maybe next year!

Thanks for the sale pointers! I am excited to see what they have.

Have a great time, Lori, and let us know what all you get.

No sense really taking a list, as there probably won't be anything on your list at the sale. Too many irises out there.

I've found that some of the newer irises go for great prices, and it gives me a chance to pick up one or two newer ones each year.

Wow, that sounds fun! I'd love to go to an iris sale like that! I went to a little garden club sale at the next town over, but every plant there seemed to be something invasive. LOL I think they dug up the stuff that is spreading uncontrollably through their gardens and put it in pots to foist onto the unsuspecting. I came home with one sweet little daylily, and left the rest for them to dispose of elsewhere. Lord knows I don't need any problem plants in my garden! The yarrow I planted was bad enough. . .spread everywhere!

Anyway, enjoy your iris sale, and hope you post back and let us know what you came home with!

Angie

If anyone wants to know the iris clubs in their region go to the AIS web site www.irises.org. You should be able to find your region & then find local clubs. try links or about irises. they do change the set up.

Lori and Mitch. I am in Thackerville Okla in the Red River sand and heat, between the border and Ardmore.....any advice for keeping my TB iris going strong?

In this heat? Pray!
You better wait for Mitch to chime in, he is far more experienced than I am. This is only my second full year to actually try to grow them, they seem to be doing okay but I don't know why.

In this heat? Pray!
You better wait for Mitch to chime in, he is far more experienced than I am. This is only my second full year to actually try to grow them, they seem to be doing okay but I don't know why.

No expert, but my grandmother and former in-laws (northern Indiana and Jacksonville TX) had Iris and grew them with no supplemental water. Had several clumps already at my house when I bought it seven years ago. Moved and divided and added. No supplemental water except for one rebloomer I wanted to coddle. These things are tough. The leaves may fry (the ones on the west side here are actually turning tan all through). The rhizomes should make it okay until the rain comes. Might not get bloom next year if you don't get winter and spring rain, but they will be fine long-term.

Water, Water , Water and weed weed weed and pray pray pray... wind and drying out or our biggest issues... so work on those two - and know that it is really okay if you give your Iris half day afternoon shade!