Tom, I heard the irises were on the fence about changing. They wanted to be bribed with something special like a day at the spa.

Shannon said: It should be pretty safe for me this year . Still job hunting ... But , my Mom's BD present was 26 iris from
Barry Blyth and I have some coming from a friend Ooops two more that I rescued
and four from WalMart so 32

Wow Shannon -- that's an awesome gift from your Mom!! Way to go Mom!!!!!

Phillipb2 said: My $4,000 to $5,000 issue has now rose to $6,250. Ouch! You know how many Iris I could have bought for $6,250?

Omigosh Barb -- what on earth has gone so wrong??? That is a TON of money...............

Muddymitts said:

Omigosh Barb -- what on earth has gone so wrong??? That is a TON of money...............

Yah, you could have gotten 4 bags of groceries, one tank of gas, and had money left to buy 4 irises!

Between plumbing, roofs, furnaces, electrical.. It's easy for things to get out of control quickly. I've had to replace retaining walls, re-pave driveways.. Anything minor seems to be $1000, and anything major, over $5000.. Although the last roof repair I had (on my new-ish roof) was only $250.. I nearly kissed the roofer's feet when he gave me the bill.

I just counted up what I have ordered so far, so I'm still in the Kid Stuff range. 29 so far with one more order to make to Mid America. Although only 3 are not new introductions.

If something's worth doin', it's worth doin' right!!!! I want to be a REAL gardener!!!

Tis truth, Darcy.

That literally happens to me every year. I buy a bunch of plants and then I have to figure out how to make it work. This is the first year I'm trying to figure it out with irises though and I doubt it will be the last. My thumb is too green for my own good!

I can identify with that!

I think gardeners are the original impulse shoppers..

with sherry!

For sure!!!

With orders, club door prizes, and trades, I currently am Off Balance at 62. With at least 6 more to order (if the respective websites ever open for business ) plus bonuses, I am sure that will put me On The Edge.

(I do not expect to go Over The Edge, as I currently have no incentive to. Half of my clumps of irises don't look like they are going to produce many, if any, bloom stalks. I'm not sure what the problem is. Maybe the shade has gotten to be too much? Maybe there is more to the story than only springtime fertilizing?)

I am still at the Kid Stuff level since I am trying to be selective (ha!) but still have club sales and members only sales and a few trades coming up as yet. Maybe looking forward to a box from someone here (if only)....

I started out being selective too. 4 or 5 a year for several years, then 7 or 8 , then 18-20... Then I found out about The iris club's sale and came home with 65 or 70 that first time.. Then Dave told me he saw Iris for sale on at a house on Bay st ( turns out it was Joe's house) .. Next thing I knew, I was stalking joe's house hoping for new iris to be put out... It's been all downhill since then

Do I get to add 12 for the 12 seedlings I just potted up
Skinny dipping X ginger ice = 5
Chief John jolly X roadmap =3
Chief John jolly X temporal anomoly =1
Spouting horn X bye bye blues=1
Jamaica me crazy X hold my hand =2

great story Sherry!

arilbred said:Do I get to add 12 for the 12 seedlings I just potted up
Skinny dipping X ginger ice = 5
Chief John jolly X roadmap =3
Chief John jolly X temporal anomoly =1
Spouting horn X bye bye blues=1
Jamaica me crazy X hold my hand =2

But of course!