Hi Guys finally got some down time in today to go through pictures our growing season ended yesterday with the 1st winter storm we got 5" of snow dumped on us overnight with 20 degree temps so no more garden work for the year. I'll probably be stir crazy by March but nice to have a break from work at least for the weekend. Thought I would take advantage of the down time and share some pictures from our Bloom season.

I had a lot of fun this spring was able to visit some friends in California and Oregon and caught most of gardens at Peak bloom and then came home to my own seedlings opening for the 1st time Although we had some rough storms in May I made the best of it and worked with what mother nature gave me ended up with quite a few pods and got some pictures of a lot of them in between the storms. My favorite part of the season was coming out every morning and finding something new blooming the goal has always been to create something different and I certainly found a few that were unique that created a lot of excitement and some others that left me scratching my head wondering How did those 2 plants create that All in All a excellent season and very encouraging to keep pollen daubing had many pretty faces bloom but few with the total package at least this year anyway.

The 1st one I want to share was a cross made in 2012 looking back at the time this cross was done for no reason other than putting 2 plants together that I really liked and I didn't expect much from it but was curious what kind of a parent Class Ring was and at the time was hoping for some reds but didn't get anything like I expected what bloomed was a wide variety of different colors and patterns this is what makes it fun there is still have quite a few left to bloom from this cross next year so will be looking forward to seeing what else comes from this. The last one on the bottom right fit my description of something different it stood out amongst the rest of them because I have not seen anything else like it in that blend of colors so it was the favorite of the bunch so far.

Smoke and Thunder X Class Ring (12-12)

Brad - I really like the third one down. The copper and red are striking with the fuschia centerline on the falls.

Really like the dark hafts on the last one too. Nice contrast.

I like them all!

Especially like the bottom left. We could sell the brown one as well, have a member who likes browns & they would certainly be cold hardy. I see that you had one with a 'ring'.

Thank you for the photos.

All are good looking blooms, and I especially like numbers 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, and 8. If I could only choose one, it would probably be #5--I LOVE that one.

Excitin' stuff! (The photographs, not the snow. ) Hope you get time to post more.

I love and want all of them!!

Pardon me, I lost my mind there....

Those are all beauties!

That is an amazing variety of colors from one cross! Love them all!

A thrilling bunch, Brad! Bravo!

I'm amazed at the variety in colors from one cross. I like 1 & 6 best.. Especially the ruffles and form on 6. Are you happy with their performance, number of blooms, vigor etc..?

Thanks Everybody !! I'm glad you like some of them this cross was a fun one I kept the majority of these and lined them out to get another look next year most have grown pretty well so far and they lived through my disaster in 2014 so excited to see them again.

Lucy.. I like the Brown's as well and yes these are all Cold Hardy

Sherri.. They all seemed to grow well and increase but you would not of won any shows with them as most lacked buds at least this year anyway will see how they do next year.

I used a lot of Joe Ghio's plants in my crosses they grow well here and I really enjoy his Pinks and Pastel's so I tried to mix his plants with Barry's and Kieth's hoping for new colors loaded with Bubble Ruffles Here are some results that I liked

Smart Money X Chestnuts Roasting (13-86)



Pop Idol X Fashionista (13-89)


Photogenic X Bejewled (13- 12)

Wow, hard to imagine all of the different colors coming from the Smoke and Thunder X Class Ring cross. All of them are really nice. The last one is really unique for sure, but also number 3 and 7 are different then any I've seen. Were there any plicata's among them?

I tried to make several crosses with Chestnuts Roasting last year, and none of them took.

I wonder if the second year will make any difference in things like bud count and branching and ruffles. I only had a hand full of my seedling bloom last summer, and that was the first year for me, so it will be interesting to see what happens next year. Maybe some of you who have been doing this longer can weigh in on this.

Wonderful results, Brad -- you dun good!!

Predictably, I love the pink!! (Photogenic x Bejeweled)

Brad you have created some really beautiful irises! And such a wide range of colors and patterns. Exceptional all and that last pink one posted is over the top. To see such beautiful irises and to know some may not make the cut due to brancing, sockets, bud count, etc., really emphasizes how hard it is to create a beautiful AND marketable iris. I am eager to see more photos.

those are all marvels! Great work Brad! Can't wait to see other crosses.

I can certainly see the Ghio influence in your crosses. All those ruffles! Keep 'em coming... I enjoy seeing your crosses!

I think if I had to pick just 1 of Joe's plants to grow it would be (Magical) it is up for the Dyke's again this year and I think he got the name perfect for this one it has been one that I can count on to put on a show every spring and one of the few that bloomed through our record cold winter in 2014 if your looking for a Pink it is recommended and proving to be a excellent parent for pastels. I have used it a lot the past couple years hoping to get different colors with the same good growth, bubble ruffles and hardiness and it has given me some really fun seedlings to work with. I think some of the best colors so far are the ones mixed with Barry's plants once again lots of different colors and patterns even got a few unexpected pastel Oranges to work with . My favorite cross with it so far was( Electric Candy x Magical 13-80) only had 12 of them bloom so far hoping I get to see the rest of them in May.

x

You're killing me!

ARUBA1334 said:
Using Brad's pics - these are
My favs:
orange & pink!!

almost a horn on this one!
the yellow underlay on the falls is really nice.
love the pink spot at the throat. Yummy color.

Holy Moly!!!! I want all of them! But particularly 2, 4, 6, and 8; with 6 and 8 tied for favorite.

These are jaw dropping gorgeous, I'm seriously blown away!