I was a piker this year compared to most of you but I am trying to hold my ground and not continue to buy more than I have room for. I focused on SDBs and ordered 8 2013s from, Mid-America. They sent 7 more for a total of 15. I ordered 7 SDBs from Salmon Creek and they sent 6 more for a toal of 13, mostly Marky Smith and Aitkin intros. Also ordered 4 Japanese to try from Salmon Creek. From Keppel I ordered Captain Thunderbolt and Friendly Advice. He sent Serena Louisa and Cotillion Gown as extras. I also won several as premiums at our show and was given a few more by friends. Also received an SDB from the Median Iris Society, I think as a prize for getting my symposium in early. Still plenty of new ones to anticipate next spring.

Tom - Funny you should suggest putting in a new bed; as I am indeed going to do so. Two in fact. One for veggies and one for iris. The iris bed will be 4 ft wide by 24 ft long ( 5 inches high raised). This is for a place to go for new cultivars in the Spring plus I need to move another bed next year and all of the rhizomes will need to be moved to the new bed.

I am 78 & hubby is 83. Cut down is in order, started that this yr. don't forget we have seedlings of our own to consider, although only one take this year.

Well Tom -- I checked out the temp Iris bed -- and there they were -- planted, labeled, growing well. So mea culpa. And not only did I not add your gifts to my database, but also those of two other ATP friends. So let's add the following to my list:

New Leaf
Celebration Song
Darcy's Choice
Dreamsicle Soda

Brazilian Art
Whispering Spirit
Regal Knave
Slovak Prince
Champagne & Strawberries
Sharp Dressed Man
Ringtone
Cat Call
Sharp Shooter
Ecstatic Echo

Magical Moment
Peppermint Cream
Breakers
Yaquina Blue

Also received seedlings from two gifters!!

Now -- that should do it. I have no clue where all of these Irises are going to go. What I do know is that I thought I had my database up to date -- I don't -- and now I have more work to do!!

Incidentally -- my two new Iris lists prove that I am officially insane.

Greg -- your acquisitions sound perfectly normal to me. If you have the space -- and the time to take care of it all -- a perfectly normal addictive process. The problem with mine is that I have neither the space nor the time. Somehow that just doesn't matter when I see a picture of a gorgeous Iris that I've just *got to have*. Sigh.

Here's a *share* for Tom. Yesterday we got a load of hay. I always drive the truck picking up the hay and bringing it home, but when it comes to maneuvering around hay sheds and our barn, I turn it over to people who are skilled at backing, etc. The trailer that we used yesterday was a very long gooseneck -- held 200 bales stacked five -- so you have an idea of the length. We needed to load it into the front end of the barn, which required coming through a gate into the barnyard, and then backing the trailer up to the front of the barn and the loft doors. I let one of the guys do that. However, when we finished last night, it was dark and I told him to just leave the truck & trailer where it was, and we'd move it in the morning. I intended to let my husband get it out of the barnyard -- but decided to *(wo)man up* and do it myself. Well, it took a LOT of maneuvering, trying to get a feel for it (in a not very large space) -- but I did it! Got the truck and trailer out of the barnyard without taking down any of the fencing, or the gate-posts, or the corner of the riding arena. YAY!!! I'm very happy about the whole thing -- but I'm exhausted -- stress is tiring!!

Mary Ann - The issue is that I don't have the space and my wife complains now that I don't have the time to take care of the yard as it stands now. I have about 1/3 of an acre; so house and driveway take up a good portion and then there is that thing called the lawn (I hate it). Ok "hate" is a strong word. blah blah blah

Congratulations on moving the truck and trailer, Not bad for a crazy woman ha??? I once learned that if you think you're crazy, you probably aren't. People who are nuts don't admit it!

Way to go Greg. Now you will have your bed all ready for next year in advance. That's good thinking. It reduces the stress and guilt when you're ordering next year.

Paul, I used to plan for space for the ones I ordered, and now I have learned to plan on much more, as some of these vendors sent as many gifts as the number in your order.

I have been noting 'no extras' on my orders. Some are disappointed (we are judges) but just can't do what we used to do.

I had a number of premiums coming from our show but didn't have room so the treasurer wrote me a check and we sold them at the auction.......made extra money. If I get extras I am not interested in I have several friends who are happy to have them. I'm 70 and know what Lucy is saying about not being able to do all i would like to do. Where has the time gone?

3rd time weeding a bed. Should finish the last bit tomorrow. one of the smaller beds, but on a slope so difficult.

Well -- I'm 68, and can still put in a pretty good day's work. I try to be sensible, and break up the workload -- mostly by spacing digging/bending/kneeling work inbetween mowing (for instance) and/or barnwork (which is standing work). I also make a point of taking a break every now and then -- especially in the worst of the hot/humid weather. And I have been known to take the occasional nap (which makes me feel guilty). But I can't go from early morning til after dark, like I used to do. And I sure hate that because I used to get an awesome amount of work done.

Oh well -- I try to be grateful for the good health and strength that I still have -- and hope it lasts for at least another ten years. It'll take me that long to get my Iris beds in shape!!!!

Misawa77 said:
Iris cultivar acquisitions since 2008.

2008 9
2009 33
2010 143
2011 101
2012 83
2013 102

Note: I started out with 29 cultivars from my mother in 2005; mostly NoIDs which I was able to get the names for half of them. I only started buying in 2008. 2010 was when I decided to collect Sterling Innerst cultivars and got lots.

Ok, so I started out with numerous NoIDs too and this was my first year acquiring new irises.

Is that what my future will look like?

2013 11
2014 ???

Oh man, I'm trouble....

Rob

I would not recommend you follow my "foolhardy" lead. However, if you so choose; here are the numbers you will need to match my "growth". To the Math!

2014 40
2015 174
2016 123
2017 101
2018 125

Total 563

+2013 11

Grand Total = 574

You are in fact, in BIG trouble. You need to start making iris beds right now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The best news is Rob, you have some really nice iris dealers right in your state, and just North of you. You can go see them in bloom, and pick the ones you want to add to your collection. Start saving your money now!

How lucky can you get................?????

574? ...

Oh my!

I do plan on visiting Superstition Gardens, so who know what will happen to me there.

I don't KNOW, but I've got a real good idea!! Arlyn

Rob - That number is ONLY if you follow my example. There is still time to change your ways!. Yea, right. Like THAT is gonna happen!!!

574 is not a "Warm Fuzzy" kind of number; so I am changing it to:

575

Much nicer!