AIS Region 6 Newsletter
Spring 2014 Indiana ❖ Michigan ❖ Ohio
In This Issue
2 Region 6 Officers 13 Registering Your Iris Show
2 AIS Officers 13 Growing the Queen of Show
3 Region 6 Affiliates 14 2013 Region 6 Iris Show Photos
4 RVP’s Message 15 AIS Region 6 Judges & Apprentices
4 Welcome New Members 16 Region 6 Display Gardens
5 Region 6 Financial Report 18 AIS & Region 6 Events
6 ‘Flower Power’ Hybridizer Hal Stahly 19 Region 6 2014 Spring Meeting
8 Hybridizer Chuck Bunnell 20 2014 Spring Meeting Registration Form
10 Herbicide Studies for Weed Control in Iris
12 Two Great Garden Tips
-1- Region 6 spring 2014
Photo: B.Heilman
‘Take Me Away’ (Cadd, 2001) Photo: B.Heilman
Region 6 Officers and Directors
Regional Vice President
Jim Copeland, 78118 M-40 Highway, Lawton, MI, 49065, (269) 624-1968, [email protected]
Assistant Regional Vice President
Barb Norrick-Bunnell, 7941 Peshewa Dr., Lafayette, IN, 47905, (765) 296-6955, [email protected]
Treasurer
Peggy Harger-Allen, 1595 S 775 East, Whitestown, IN, 46075, (317) 769-6837, [email protected]
Secretary
Jean Kaufmann, 5140 Cornell Rd.,Okemos, MI, 48864, (517) 347-7555, [email protected]
Newsletter Editor
Deb Diget, 300 Silver St, Battle Creek, MI, 49014, [email protected]
Assistant Newsletter Editor
Jean Kaufmann 5195 Cornell Rd., Okemos, MI 48864, (517) 347-7555, [email protected]
Indiana State Chairman
Tom Tomlinson, 1429 W. Washington, Muncie Indiana, 47303, (765) 282-3883, [email protected]
Michigan State Chairman
Don Sorensen, 6063 S. Youngman Rd., Greenville, MI, 48838, (616) 225-0215, [email protected]
Ohio State Chairman
Jody Nolin, 5184 County Rd. 20, Rushsylvania, OH, 43347, (614) 507-0332, [email protected]
Awards & Elections Chairman
Carol Morgan, 265 N Main St., Woodland, MI, 48897, (269) 367-4218, [email protected]
Judges’ Training Chairman
Jim Copeland, 78118 M-40 Highway, Lawton, MI, 49065, (269) 624-1968, [email protected]
Regional Youth Chairman
Vacant
Regional Webmaster
Kathleen Devlin, Milan, MI, [email protected]
Immediate Past Regional Vice President
Chuck Bunnell, 7941 Peshewa Dr., Lafayette, IN, 47905, (765) 296-6955, [email protected]
AIS Officers and Administrative Officers
President
Jim Morris, 682 Huntley Heights, Ballwin, MO, 63021, (636) 256-3927, [email protected]
First Vice President
Gary White, 701 Old Cheney Road, Lincoln, NE, 68512, (402) 421-6394, [email protected]
Second Vice President
Jody Nolin, 5184 County Rd. 20, Rushsylvania, OH, 43347, (614) 507-0332, [email protected]
Secretary
Michelle Snyder, 225 Sky Line Drive, Sedona, AZ 86336, (928) 282-5867, [email protected]
Treasurer
Dwayne Booth, 6117 150th Place SW, Edmonds, WA, 98026-4121, (425) 971-5607, [email protected]
Editor
Kathleen Sonntag, PO Box 3602, Carmel, CA 93921, (831) 626-4151, [email protected]
Registrar/Recorders
John & Joanne Jones, 35572 Linda Drive, Fremont, CA 94536-1523, (510) 795-9723, [email protected]
Membership Secretary
Tom Gormley, 205 Catalonia Ave., P.O. Box 177, DeLeon Springs, FL 32130, (386) 277-2057,
Recording Secretary
Susan Boyce, 5123 South 3500 West, Roy, UT 84067, (801) 985-0255, [email protected]
Region 6 Affiliates
-3- Region 6 spring 2014
Ohio Columbus Iris Society
Amy Maurer, President
2560 Stanbury Dr.
Columbus, OH 43209
614.253.8373
North East Ohio Iris Society
Fred Pedersen, President
9247 Windswept Dr.
Brecksville, Oh. 44141
330.714.9102
Indiana Indiana Daylily – Iris Society
John Everitt, President
710 E. 84th St.
Indianapolis, IN 46240
317.501.7580
Iris Growers of Eastern Indiana
Thomas Tomlinson, President
1429 West Washington
Muncie, IN 47303
765.292.3883
Northeastern Indiana Iris Society
Lana Wolfe, President
9730 Auburn Road
Ft. Wayne, IN 46825
260.489.4781
Southern Indiana Daylily, Hosta, Daffodil &
Iris Society
President Jan Skinner
510 N. Colony
Bloomington, IN 47408
812.333.4245
Michigan Grand Valley Iris Society
Delbert Teachout, President
1643 Pinnacle Dr. SW
Wyoming, MI 49519
616.570.8040
Iris Club of Southeast Michigan
Fred Clawson, President
630 Symes Ave.
Royal Oak, MI 48067
Iris Club of West Michigan
Don Sorensen, President
6063 Youngman Rd.
Greenville, MI 48838
Mio Irisarians
Adam Cordes, President
22740 Co. Rd. F-21
Hillman, MI 49746
989.742.4248
Southwestern Michigan Iris Society
Inge Mesik, President
779 105th Avenue
Plainwell, MI 49080
Tri County Iris Society
Lori Lanford, President
3053 Willoughby Rd.
Mason, MI 48854
517.203.4050
RVP’s Message
Wow! What a winter we are having. If the iris bloom is as good this year as
the winter is bad, everyone should have a great bloom season. I blew snow
out of the driveway for 3 hours today. I think we have at least 18 inches on
the ground at this point. The “Polar Vortex” systems we are having just keep
coming. Those of you that “escape” to warmer climates for the winter do not
know what you are missing.
I just returned from an ice fishing trip for perch in Canada. It was cold. One morning it was minus 33 degrees
Fahrenheit but it had warmed up to minus 3 degrees by 4:30 PM when we quit. Every day the temperature
was below zero. The good news is that the fish were biting. I brought home 13 pounds of fillets for a perch fry.
I am pleased at the response we got from Regional Affiliates and individuals for the Region 6 Basket for the
AIS Convention in Dallas this April. A big thank you to the Indiana Daylily Iris Society, Grand Valley Iris
Society, Southwestern Michigan Iris Society, Carol Morgan, Jody Nolin and Ensata Gardens for their
contributions.
It is time to start planning to attend the Region 6 Spring meeting in Winchester Indiana. Tom Tomlinson and
the Iris Growers of Eastern Indiana are hosting this meeting on May 16 and 17.
See you then.
Jim
Welcome New Members!
-4- Region 6 spring 2014
Theresa Bennett Verna Hammond Beverly & Robert Hill
Indianapolis, IN Alger, MI Union City, IN
Hailey Koehler (youth member) Diana Langshaw Edward Lengyel
Alger, MI Augusta, MI Akron, OH
Nancy McDonald Barbara Meyers Carron Nevill Jack and Sally Sewell
Grand Marais, MI Muskegon, MI Clare, MI Portage, MI
Linda Stemen Jean Thomas Yolanda Young Sean Zera
Mikado, MI Hale, MI Vandalia, OH Ann Arbor, MI
AIS Region 6 Financial Report 12-31-13
Balance forward (12/31/2012): $19247.27
Income:
05/30/13 – Cash donation (from 2012) 100.00 Indiana Daylily and Iris Society (IDIS)
05/30/13 – Snapshot fee reversed 4.00 10/07/13 – Fall auction 774.15 11/08/13 – Cash donation – IDIS 100.00 12/31/13 – Interest on savings YTD 9.69
Total income: $ 987.84
Expenses: 01/27/13 – Jody Nolin - Newsletter 446.78 02/04/13 – USPS – stamps 6.90 03/15/13 – Snapshot fee 2.00 09/11/13 – Jean Kaufmann – Newsletter x 2 640.69 09/21/13 – Jim Copeland – Judges Training 96.82 09/21/13 – Carol Morgan – Awards 50.90
Total expenses: $1244.09
Total savings account balance 12/31/2013: $18,009.69 Total checking account balance 12/31/2013: 981.33
Total assets 12/31/2013: $18,991.02
Respectfully Submitted:
Peggy Harger-Allen Region 6 Treasurer January 13, 2014
-5- Region 6 spring 2014
Editor’s Note: Please help reduce Region 6 expenses by signing
up and receiving the Newsletter via email. Please consider your
individual situation and if you are able to receive a full color digital
copy of the newsletter email me at [email protected]. Your
efforts to reduce Region 6 expenses are greatly appreciated.
Hybridizer Hal Stahly By Carol Morgan
Hal Stahly’s iris activities began when as a boy; he was exposed to growing and harvesting on
the family farm. As is the case with many farms, not only did the family have fields producing, but they also maintained personal gardens for vegetables and flowers. One of the flowers prominent in
the family flower patch was the tall bearded iris. These were historic irises that were abundant in
country gardens throughout the US. It was an important influence on Hal because his mother was particularly fond of irises.
As a young adult, Hal met and married his charming, witty wife, Dorothy. When they
established their own home and gardens, Hal discovered the more modern forms of iris in a Schreiner’s catalog. He sent for some of these and began growing with six or eight iris of different
colors.
Hal’s interest in irises drove him to do a little research. He visited a local library where he
found a reference devoted to the iris. In 1954 he checked out Garden Irises and began reading about the tall bearded iris; its growth habits; its propagation and the like. Hal’s curiosity was
begging an eager gardener to explore growing iris from seeds to see what the outcome might be.
This book was responsible for teaching Hal the processes he would need to pollinate and germinate iris from seeds. One of Hal’s first crosses was ‘Ola Kala’ (a nice yellow) by ‘Casa Morena’ (an
interesting brown). The resulting seeds were planted, grown and they produced some very pretty
irises. Hal was hooked. He made other occasional crosses and got other nice iris. He did not expect such good results.
The next turn of events that helped Hal begin his iris hybridizing
career was a move to a new job in Cape Girardeau, Mo. Once there, by happy chance in church Hal met one of his mentors, and now, close
friend, Dave Niswonger. It was Dave who encouraged Hal to join the
American Iris Society in 1962. Dave encouraged the Stahlys to go to
the Region 18 meetings and to explore crossing irises. Dave Niswonger and Gene Buckles received awards from the AIS for
their work. These friends always encouraged and assisted Hal to
pursue his hybridizing. At other AIS meetings and tours Hal met and became friends with the Schreiners, Joe Ghio and Nathan Rudolf, who
were very active. These hybridizer-friends offered advice, support and
most importantly, encouragement. When Hal left Cape Girardeau, a hybridizer asked what kind of
irises Hal liked. Black irises were of interest, and so he was sent seed.
Licorice Stick (Schreiner, 1960) and Black Swan (Fay, 1960) led to some plants that began a line of blacks. Two generations later a Border
Bearded black was produced that did very well. ‘Drum Solo’ (1980)
received an Award of Merit and later the Knowlton Medal for
outstanding Border Bearded Iris. Another generation produced ‘Black Flag’ (1984), a tall bearded ebony which received an Award of Merit.
‘Black Flag’ is a good performer in the garden and is enjoyed by many
growers. -6- Region 6 spring 2014
‘Drum Solo’
‘Black Flag’
‘Flower Power’
Region 6 Hybridizers Editor’s Note: This is the first in a series of articles written by Region 6 hybridizers. Originally, this was to be just one article, but region hybridizers overwhelmed me with such interesting and informative articles, which could not be edited into just one article. The intention is that these articles will furnish each of you with an insight and deeper appreciation for the hybridizers and their work. Enjoy!
Hal has also worked to produce a white Tall Bearded with a blue beard. He developed ‘Shadow
of a Smile’ (2007). Sadly this iris was not well distributed. It is a true white with a nice blue beard that contrasts well with its whiteness. One of Hal’s last introductions was
‘Midnight Vigil’ (2005). ‘Midnight Vigil’ is a very black, stately and majestic self. It is widely grown
in New England. Hal says that people report that it does very well in that area.
When asked how Hal plans his hybridizing, he replied that he thought
many generations ahead. In other words, he had an idea of what he wanted to achieve then he crossed and back-crossed several times. Each back-
cross was designed to retain traits he felt were desirable, and to eliminate
traits that were faults. He tried to guess what characteristics would go forward (especially in his orange lines). Form is always a problem in cold
winter gardens. He used irises with color and toughness to cross with more
tender varieties from the west coast. Then in three to four generations came ‘Celtic Harp’ (1998)
and ‘Celtic Glory’ (2000). These irises met the goal—hardy with vivid color and nice forms. Hybridizing is part intuitive, part planned and sometimes serendipitous as was the case with ‘Born
to Shine’ (2004). This beauty is a lovely yellow with ruffled, orange fringe.
Another unexpected success occurred when breeding for blacks. ‘Night Lady’, (Stahly 1986) by
‘Wagontrail Night’ (Chuck Clausen, 1982) produced some interesting results. Even though ‘Night Lady’ was a dark red-black self, its gene-pool is half plicata. ‘Wagontrail Night’ was also from a
plicata parent. The result was a large variety of solid and plicata seedlings. From these came an
iris with three plicata genes and one dark purple gene. It was introduced as ‘Baltic Star’ (1994). Baltic Star is a very dark purple with a lovely wash of white that runs down the falls from the
beard. Joe Ghio used Baltic Star in many of his crosses and eventually received a Dykes medal
from one with Baltic Star in its background. Hal hybridized other cultivars including Siberian and Japanese
irises. One of the loveliest Japanese iris is ‘Royal Game’, an Adolf
Vogt seedling that Hal registered and introduced in 1984. One of the nicest Siberian Irises was ‘Active Duty’ (1999). Once again good form,
hardiness and pleasing colors make winners.
Hal tried to have somewhere around 1000 seedlings to evaluate
each year. After the initial blooms showed themselves, the culling processes began. Approximately 90% were discarded because of
faults, commonness, or lack of hardiness. Hal stressed that
distinctiveness is important, and so he tried not to introduce more than three or four a year. Some seedlings that were never introduced were saved to use as breeders because they had traits
that Hall wanted to try to carry forward in other crosses. Breeding named varieties by named
varieties usually was avoided because Hal believed that line breeding would lead him to his desired goals.
As for advice to other hybridizers, Hal gave these suggestions: 1. Do everything possible to get experienced hybridizer’s opinions and suggestions to get what
you might use.
-7- Region 6 spring 2014
‘Midnight Vigil’
‘Celtic Harp’ ‘Celtic Glory’ ‘Born to Shine’
‘Baltic Star’
2. If you have something that good, try to get it distributed widely. This would include
regional tours, growers, friends and national conventions.
3. If you sent a convention guest that was registered, allow it to be distributed by the
convention hosts through sales and giveaways for the exposure so that it might receive
awards like an Award of Merit. In the Tall Bearded section an AM is difficult to get because
the competition is so great.
4. Be well trained and critical to maintain good traits in the seedlings. This is easily done by
attending AIS judge’s training.
Finally when asked where one might get some of Hal’s varieties, he suggested that an on-line search would be a good bet. Remember that some of the work done to achieve modern forms and
colors took many generations to produce. One should take advantage of that work when working
with hybridizing irises.
(Author’s note: I would like to sincerely thank Hal for the wonderful visit we had. The American Iris Society has a rich resource because of the extensive knowledge and experiences that Hal is so willing to share. It was a privilege to interview and write this article. Carol Morgan)
Hybridizer Chuck Bunnell By Chuck Bunnell
My interest in hybridizing began in the late 1980's when I bought a dozen iris from Schreiner's,
joined the American Iris Society and a local club. I made a trip to the Purdue University biology library which yielded The World of Irises and an introduction to the diversity of iris.
I considered Jack Norrick, a passionate promoter and hybridizer of MTBs, as my mentor. Jack was a member of the local iris club that I joined. He gave me his first MTBs, ‘Rosemary's Dream’
(Dunderman, 1981), ‘Lucky Mistake’ (Norrick, 1985), ‘Oshel Blue’ (Dunderman, 1984), ‘Welch's
Reward’ (Welch by Hall, 1987) and ‘Bumblebee Deelite’ (Norrick, 1985), to name a few.
When considering modern hybridizers, I admire Stephanie Markhams
work. I feel her work stands out for well thought out crosses and floriferous cultivars. ‘Think Spring’ (Markham, 2002) is a favorite of
mine. Since 1998 Miniature Tall Beardeds have been the focus of my
hybridization.
I try to do some planning with my crosses. I have certain parents in
mind at initial bloom, but circumstances sometime dictate spur of the
moment crosses as MTBs are observed blooming. Convenience comes into play later in the season since my MTBs are widely spread over a couple acres.
Due to an injury, there have been no “normal” years lately for my hybridizing. Because of this
injury I produced a low of 40 crosses in the summer of 2013. Other years I have made as many as 168 crosses. Successful pollination is usually 50-60%.
-8- Region 6 spring 2014
‘Bumblebee Deelite’
I have more frequently used ‘Missus Bee’ (Bunnell, 2002) and its siblings in the genealogy of most of my top
seedlings. ‘Bronze Sprite’ (Witt, 1990) and ‘Cyber Net’
(Varner, 1996) have provided me with the most unique seedlings. Over time I have been making fewer crosses so
they have been more focused with more crosses of the same
parents both ways.
My goals have changed a little over time. Initially, my
hybridizing was a curiosity. After focusing on MTBs, my
goals included providing improved, unique cultivars. Once I got a taste of success with Missus Bee (Award of Merit,
2008), winning awards has become a secondary goal.
In reflecting back upon my hybridizing I can state the
following, I wish I knew the best way to select seedlings and plant them so their care and
evaluation were easier. I wish I were a wiz at genetics and had the discipline to use that knowledge.
My advice to a new hybridizer: Be ruthless in pitching seedlings after 2nd or 3rd year. Pick the few best you want to keep and line them out. Pitch the rest and reclaim the soil space. I was lazy or reluctant to do this and face
thousands of seedlings to pitch now, an impossible amount to take care of. Bennett Jones did his
wonderful hybridizing in his smallish urban backyard.
Without a doubt, my favorite introduction is ‘Dividing Line’ (2005). My late wife, Linda, named it.
At the time I wasn’t overly fond of the name, but it describes the flower so well people can’t forget it. Dividing Line’s popularity is astounding and it sets the bar very high for future introductions.
For all interested in acquiring my newer introductions they can be found at Aitken’s Salmon Creek
Gardens. Older ones are widespread.
-9- Region 6 spring 2014
‘Missus Bee’
‘Dividing Line’ photos: B.Heilman
In the last article, I completed this discussion on Group E herbicides and then covered the Group K herbicides (that target shoot initials of germinating seeds) and Group D herbicides. This article is covering only Group G, a group that has only one herbicide…glyphosate or “Roundup”. After working for Monsanto 21+ years, people ask me why I often use the word Roundup instead of glyphosate. And I tell them that, just because Kleenex went off patent, I didn’t suddenly start calling them facial tissues. In this article, I will use Roundup when I am talking about the formulated product that you buy in a container. When I use glyphosate, it means I am talking about the active ingredient only. And because I am using the Roundup trade name, does not mean I think other products containing glyphosate are inferior. Again I need to emphasize that you are required to follow the label instructions found on every container. Also, herbicides, in their concentrated form, may not be transferred to or stored in anything except the original container where the product name and safety precautions must be easily readable. How Roundup Works Roundup is the most versatile of all herbicides because of its relative safety to non-plant life and how it works and behaves in the environment. It enters only green leaves and stems of all plants. Then it moves both up and down inside the plant to growing points of both leaves and roots. At the growing points, glyphosate binds with the enzyme that produces aromatic amino acids, a group of “essential” amino acids that humans need to eat in order to survive. Because animals do not have that enzyme, there is no place for glyphosate to be “active” in humans. However, without these amino acids, plants slowly starve to death, and that is why it takes several days (in optimum, warm weather) to several weeks (in cold weather) for the plants to discolor and die. Roundup Action Roundup and nearly all other glyphosate products are a mixture of glyphosate and detergents, similar to but not the same as laundry detergents. The need for detergents is because glyphosate alone is poor at penetrating waxy layers of green leaf surfaces. Once inside the leaf, glyphosate moves around much better when the plant is actively growing. The active growing points “suck” the glyphosate. However in perennials, not all the growing points are active at the same time. Once one growing point is stopped by glyphosate, another “breaks” and the glyphosate is “sucked” to that one, etc. If a perennial plant has too many underground growing points, eventually the glyphosate “runs out” and the plant begins to grow again, often with new young leaves severely distorted compared to their normal shape. This distortion also occurs on all plants if your initial application rate is too low, and it can also occur if you are not careful and “drift” a little Roundup on your desired ornamentals and flowers. Figure I is a photo of a bearded iris bloom (on left) that is distorted by Roundup drift while the bloom (on right) is normal. Both were in bud at the time of Roundup drift. Can you answer the question, at the time of spray, which one was likely the most actively growing?
-10- Region 6 spring 2014
Herbicide Studies for
Weed Control in Iris By John E. Kaufmann
J&J Iris Farm
5140 Cornell Road Okemos, Mi 48864 Ph: 517-374-7555
(Note: This is the third of series of articles I am writing on weed control in iris. Questions via email about the content of each article are welcome as they come out)
Figure 1. Roundup damaged bloom on left, normal on right. Photo: J.Kaufmann
Environmental Inactivation The other special characteristic of Roundup is that it is immediately inactivated (bound up) upon contact with soil, dust covered rocks or even mature, brown tree bark (not green), and then it is degraded over the next couple weeks. This is a great advantage if you wish to replant or reseed and area soon after killing existing vegetation. If you wish to kill perennial weeds, first allow at least two weeks of un-mowed, undisturbed growth to maximize the amount of healthy green vegetation, spray with the maximum labeled rate of Roundup for your weeds species, wait a minimum of three days, and then till and prepare the new seedbed for your garden. Lawn & Garden Products Often Roundup products found in the homeowner market have the trade name “Grass & Weed Killer”. Since glyphosate is the common chemical name, you must look carefully at the active ingredients to find the concentration. Ready-to-use products often contain 1-2% glyphosate, while the most concentrated forms contain 41%. It’s quite easy to see that pound for pound, 41% should cost more than 20 times as much as 1-2%. However, sometimes the same sized containers are much closer to being the same price. So, make sure that when you are buying the ready-to-use product, the convenience of not having to measuring it out in the proper dilution is worth the cost difference to you.
Grass and Weed Killer products may also have additional trade name phrases such as “Extended Control” or “Long Lasting Control”. When you see this, look for a second active ingredient. Usually that second ingredient is either a Group E or Group L herbicide, which means there is residual weed prevention of newly germinating seeds added to the product.
In addition, Grass & Weed Killers may also have the additional words, “quick results” or “rapid burn-down”. In this case, the product may contain a Group D herbicide that causes leaf discoloration in less than 24 hours. These are for homeowners, who are either impatient to see results, or want to see where they have already treated when they go out a couple days later to kill more weeds. Be aware that these Group D herbicides can act so quickly that they reduce the chance that Roundup has time to get in the leaf and move to the growing points. Thus these “fast burn” forms can actually reduce the ability of Roundup to kill perennial weeds.
Using a hooded sprayer is one of the best ways to spray Roundup among iris plants, even on days with light wind. Figure 2 is a photo of the hooded sprayer that I use. I have added plexiglass “runners” on both ends of the hood that allow it to rest approximately1 inch off the weed/soil surface. The runners help block spray that might be directed onto the iris, and they make it easier to glide the hood smoothly over short weedy vegetation. I also have found that walking backwards pulling the hood is preferred for two reasons: 1) I do not walk through recently sprayed vegetation, and 2) the hood slides over the vegetation at a more uniform speed keeping the rate of application more uniform.
The following website http://www.co2sprayers.com/catalog.pdf has hooded sprayers designed perfectly for homeowners wishing to use Roundup around garden plants. Look at the bottom of page 42. The catalog shows many other pieces of spray equipment you may find handy for small area herbicide applications.
-11- Region 6 spring 2014
Figure 2. A hooded sprayer greatly reduces Roundup drift.
Photo: J. Kaufmann
To my knowledge, Roundup has only one “non-green” use. That use is described as “Hack & Squirt” and/or “Cut Stump”, either of which are excellent at killing undesirable or unwanted trees and shrubs. Instead of spraying leaf foliage, one of three of the following methods can be used: 1) hack into the cambial layer several places around the tree, and squirt or dribble 41% Roundup in the cuts, 2) cut the tree down with a chain or hand saw, and wipe 41% Roundup on and around the entire cambial layer, or 3) cut several branches of a shrub with sharp shears and wipe 41% Roundup over the cut ends. Roundup will translocate down recently cut cambial tissue, and kill the roots of the entire woody plant. Please be aware the some trees, such as poplars, may have connecting roots among two or more “trees” and you will kill the whole bunch. The best way to wipe 41% is make sure the gloves your using are water proof (i.e. rubber or neoprene with no pinholes), carefully dribble 41% Roundup on the outer ½ inch ring (cambial layer) around the stump and wipe it in. Likewise to squirt is to find a way to dribble a little 41% into the hack and use a brush (that you are willing to discard) to wipe it back and forth in the hack. Be prepared to wipe the Roundup before you make any cuts, and apply just after the cut, since cambial layers will seal themselves. The longer you wait after cut, the less effective the kill. Finally, glyphosate has an interesting discovery history. It was first made in Europe the 1940’s, but no one knew it was an herbicide. In the 50’s and 60’s, numerous companies were researching phosphate detergents. Being a phosphate-based molecule, both Monsanto and Proctor & Gamble, managed to “re-make” glyphosate in the process. Monsanto found and patented the use as an herbicide and P&G found and patented its potential use as a cancer control/prevention agent. Looking back, one can only imagine the very different image all of us would have about the “chemical” glyphosate if P&G were the only company to have tested it. Special thanks are given to the American Iris Society for support of the research that encouraged my interest in writing these articles. John Kaufmann
-12- Region 6 spring 2014
2 Great Garden Tips
1. To determine if a proposed garden spot is sunny enough, place a solar path light in
the area. If it glows strong/bright at night the area is getting 6 hours of sun and should be a good garden spot for sun loving plants.
2. I overheard Terry Aitken telling that they have discovered that if they divide and transplant the MTB’s (like Dividing Line), right after blooming, they have more plant stock next spring for their orders. If they do it later it takes setting out more plants to get enough stock.
anna mae
‘Forever Remembered’ (Miller, ’04) Photo: Ensata Gardens
Registering Your Iris Show By Robert Pries
It's time to be thinking about iris shows again. Some notes and updates for you.
Send your show schedules for approval to Lois Rose at least two months prior to your show date.
Lois prefers email ([email protected]) so she can send the approval/evaluation form, Show Supplies Order Form, and Show Report Form in electronic format.
Schedules can be in Word (any version) or PDF. Please include a cover note with your snail-mail address as the official approval and show certificates come back to you via USPS.
Lois is traveling, February 16 through March 4, which means no shows will be approved during that time. She will deal with the inevitable backlog of schedules in the order in which they were sent (for e-mail) or postmarked (for snail-mail), so submit your schedule in plenty of time, especially if you have an April show, Shipping and handling for show supplies will increase to $13.00 in 2014.
Growing the Queen of Show By Debbie Strauss
Garden Timeline: Two – Three weeks prior to show:
o Look over your iris stalks o Use rolls of newspaper or rolled fans as ‘wedges’ to force
branches away from the stalk. (Attend to these wedges daily to prevent slipping).
o Don’t dismiss curved stalks; they can be great in designs!
One week before show:
o View your garden and get an idea of which irises will be blooming for the show. Then look up their names.
The Show Steps:
o Fill out your entry tag, use address labels, be sure to put one on the top and the bottom of the entry form and place them on the bottle FIRST. You don’t want to jostle the specimen by slipping it on afterwards.
o Groom!!! Try to use paper towels, rather than fingers, to move the iris. A Q-Tip, dipped in water, can be used to remove debris. Use small soft brushes to remove fingerprints, but try not to wipe the stalk clean of its
natural glaze. Use manicure scissors to remove up to ¼ inch of foliage or to trim brown sheaths.
-13- Region 6 spring 2014
Note: Be sure to take photos of your clubs show. Please send photos and show results to [email protected] . Deadline for summer 2014 Region 6 newsletter will be June 1. If your show is after June 1 please contact me to make arrangements.
What the Judges Look For:
First Look:
o Is it open? (if one flower isn’t at least ½ open it is disqualified)
o How is the iris’s structure? Does it have candelabra branching?
o Does it meet the requirements for its category?
o Is it properly named? Closer Look:
o Are the fans spotted or off-color? o Is there damage to the iris? o How does it compare to the judges
experience with that specimen? o How does it compare to other specimens of the same name on the show table?
Last Check:
o Did it look good from all angles? o Was the iris illegally altered in any way? o Do all the judges agree?
2013 AIS Region 6 Iris Shows
-14- Region 6 spring 2014
Southwestern Michigan Iris
Society Indiana Daylily-Iris Society
Northeastern Indiana Iris Society
Columbus Iris Society Iris Club of Southeast Michigan
Tri County Iris Society
Iris Growers of Eastern Indiana North East Ohio Iris Society
Mio Irisarians
2013 American Iris Society Region 6
Judges & Apprentices
Emeritus
James Copeland 78118 M 40 Lawton, MI 49065 269-624-1968
Jill Copeland 78118 M 40 Lawton, MI 49065 269-624-1968
Harold Stahly 4775 Village Dr Apt 213 Grand Ledge,MI 48837 810-694-7139
Mrs Anthony Willott 26231 Shaker Blvd Beachwood, OH 44122 216-831-8662
Master
Robert Bauer 9823 Michigan Ave Galesburg, MI 49053 269-665-7500
Charles Bunnell 7941 Peshewa Dr Lafayette, IN 47905 765-296-6955
Ann Cline 2311 Torquay Royal Oak, MI 48073 248-280-0848
John Coble 9823 Michigan Ave Galesburg, MI 49053 269-665-7500
Adam Cordes County Rd 451 Hillman, MI 49746 989-742-4248
Robert Hollingworth 124 E Sherwood Rd Williamston, MI 48895 517-930-4429
Anna Mae Miller 1700 Bronson Way #155 Kalamazoo, MI 49009 269-349-5934
Kathy Moore 501 East Kentucky St Franklin, IN 46131 317-738-4408
Carol Morgan 265 N Main St. Woodland, MI 48897 269-367-4218
Charles Rumbaugh 3520 Dudley Ave Indianapolis, IN 45227 317-783-1178
Doris Winton 7131 E 550 S Franklin, IN 46131 812-526-9237
Donna Wolford 2605 Oakhaven St NE Palm Bay, FL 32905 321-724-1676
Harry Wolford 2605 Oakhaven St NE Palm Bay, FL 32905 321-724-1676
Garden
Kathy Devlin 12301 McCrone Rd Milan, MI 48106
Deborah Diget 300 Silver St Battle Creek, MI 49014 269-963-2263
Brock Heilman PO Box 455 Belleville, MI 48111 734-255-9575
Frances Holecek 3874 Washington Park Blvd Cleveland,OH 44105 216-883-2738
Rose Holecek 3874 Washington Park Blvd Cleveland,OH 44105 216-883-2738
Judy Hollingworth 124 E Sherwood Rd Williamston, MI 48895 517-930-0180
Jean Kaufmann 5140 Cornell Rd Okemos, MI 48864 517-347-7555
Inge Mesik 779 -105th Ave Plainwell, MI 49080 269-685-9655
Jody Nolin 5184 Cty Rd 2, Rushsylvania, OH 43347 614-507-0332
Laurel Richardson 654 Phaeton Place Indianapolis, IN 46227 317-887-0706
Donald Sorensen 6063 Youngman Rd Greenville, MI 48838 616-225-0215
Mary Lou Swann-Young 7443 W 500 N McCordsville, IN 46055 317-703-0483
Janet Wilke 5406 Boy Scout Rd Lawrence, IN 46226 317-327-3826
Lana Wolfe 9730 Auburn Rd Fort Wayne, IN 46825 260-489-4781
Peggy Harger-Allen 1595 S 775 East Whitestown, IN 46075 317-769-6837
Apprentice
Thomas Tomlinson 1429 W Washington Muncie, IN 47303 765-282-3883
-15- Region 6 spring 2014
-16- Region 6 spring 2014
INDIANA Chuck and Barb Bunnell 7941 Peshewa Dr. Lafayette, IN 47905 Phone: (765) 296-6955 Email: [email protected] MDB,SDB,IB,BB,MTB,TB, SIB, LA, SPU, Species, JA Peak bloom: May
Joan McFadden 450 E Cty. Rd. 450N, Seymour, IN Phone: (812) 523-6273, cell: (765) 749-2477 Email: [email protected] TB, IB, medians Peak bloom: May 15, Please call ahead
Myers Iris Garden, Matt Myers 3514 E 500 S Warsaw, IN 46580 Phone: (574) 527-5663 Over 2,000 named varieties of iris Peak bloom: Mid May to Early June
Winton’s Iris Hill, Doris Winton 7131 E 550 South, Franklin, IN 46131 Phone: (812) 526-9237 TB,MTB.IB,SDB,BB and Siberians Peak bloom: TB’s - May 15-30; SIBs - May 25-June 7
MICHIGAN Bunnies and Bouquets, Elaine Johnson 3524 S. Derby Rd., Sidney, MI 48885 (3/8 mile S. of Sidney, Montcalm Co.) Many varieties, but mainly TB’s Peak bloom: First week of June
Jim and Jill Copeland 78118 M-40, Lawton, Mi 49065 Phone: (616) 624-1968 Email: [email protected] IB,TB,LA, SIB, JI, Species and SpecX Peak bloom: We usually have bloom from May through July. Visit anytime we are home
Ensata Gardens, Bob Bauer and John Coble 9823 E. Michigan Ave., Galesburg, MI 49053 Phone: (269) 665-7500 Email: [email protected] Siberians and Japanese Peak bloom: SIB’s - 1st week June JI’s - last week of June -July 4. Not necessary to phone ahead
J & J Iris Farm, John and Jean Kaufmann 5140 Cornell Rd., Okemos, MI 48864 Phone: (517) 347-7555 Email: [email protected] Mostly TB’s, some dwarf and intermediate, a few SIBS Peak bloom: Last two weeks of May to first 2 weeks June
Windwood Gardens Irises, Bob & Judy Hollingworth 5410 N. Williamston Rd. Williamston, MI Bob’s Cell: 517 930-0180, Judy’s Cell: 517 930-4429 Email [email protected] Mostly SIB, some MTB’s Peak bloom: Approx May 25-June 10
Caressing Breeze Daylily and Iris Garden, Lori Lanford 3053 Willoughby Road Mason, MI 48854 Phone: (517) 203-4050 Growing TB's, SI's and JI's Peak bloom: Late May/Early June Please call before visiting, evenings and weekends.
Brichwood Gardens, Donald R. Sorensen, 6063 S. Youngman Rd. Greenville, MI 48838 Phone: (616) 225-0215 Email: [email protected] TB, BB, IB, SDB, MDB, JI, LI, MTB, Sib, Species, seedlings Peak bloom: May 1 - July 15
-17- Region 6 spring 2014
OHIO Dorothy Willott 26231 Shaker Blvd, Beachwood, OH Phone: (216) 831-8662 and Rockefeller Park Greenhouse 750 East 88th St., Cleveland, OH TB, BB, IB, SDB, MDB, Sib, seedlings Peak bloom: Varies for type of iris – call for best bloom time. Greenhouse grounds open every day 8 to 4:30, except holidays. Greenhouse buildings open 10-4 daily. No need to call ahead. For the Willott’s home gardens, please call ahead Stick and Thistle Farm, Jody Nolin 5184 County Rd. 20, Rushsylvania, OH 43347 Phone: (614) 507-0332 Email: [email protected] A bit of everything, including Spuria and LA gardens Peak bloom: Mid-May through June, always something blooming! No need to call
Willott Garden – Ohio
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Winton Garden – Indiana
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Kaufmann Garden – Michigan Photo: B.Heilman
AIS & Region 6 Events Year Date Event & Location
2014 April 5 – 10
May 16 & 17
May 22 – 25
August 9
September 20
AIS National Convention; Dallas, TX
Region 6 Spring Meeting, Winchester & Union City, IN Hosted by IGEI
Southwestern Michigan Iris Society Bus Trip, Region 4 Spring Tour, Maryland (for more
information go to: http://www.irisregion4.com/happenings.htm )
Iris Club of West Michigan Bus Trip, Chicago Botantic Garden, Chicago, IL (contact Don
Sorensen [email protected] for more information
Region 6 Fall Meeting, Fort Wayne, IN, Hosted by CIS
2014 Region 6 Iris Shows & Display Date Sponsoring Club Location Additional Information
May 24 IDIS Holliday Park Nature Center, 6363 Spring Mill
Rd, Indianapolis, IN
Open to public 1:30-4:00 pm
May 24 NEOIS Rockefeller Park Greenhouse, 750 East 88th St, Cleveland, Ohio
Set up 8-10:30 am; Judging 11:00 am-12:30 pm,
Open to public at 1:00pm
May 24 & 25 GVIS Frederik Meijer Gardens, 1000 E Beltline NE
Grand Rapids, MI
Open to public 11 – 5 PM
May 25 NEIIS Botanical Conservatory, 1100 S Calhoun St, Fort
Wayne, IN
Set up 8:30 am; Judging 11 am
Open to public @ noon
May 25 IGEI Minnetrista Center, 1200 N Minnetrista Pky,
Muncie, IN
Entries 9 – 11 am; Judging 11
am; Open to public @ 1:00 pm
May 31 SWMIS Wenke Greenhouse, 5071 Market St, Kalamazoo,
MI
Entries 8-10:30 am; Judging
11 am; Open to public @ noon
May 31 Tri Co MSU Plant & Soil Bldg, East Lansing, MI Entries & Judging May 30
Open to public May 31 Contact: Lori @ 517.203.4050
June 14 Mio Word of Life Church, 1900 N Bagley St,
Alpena, MI
Entries 7-10 am; Open to
public 1:30-4:30 pm
June 28 SWMIS – JI Display Wedel’s Nursery, 5020 Texas Dr, Kalamazoo, MI Open to public 9am – 4 pm
2014 Region 6 Iris Rhizome Sales/Auctions Date Sponsoring Club Location Additional Information
May 19 ICOWM Courtland Township Hall, 7450 14 Mile Rd NE,
Rockford, MI
All types of garden plants.
Begins @ 7 pm
June 14 Mio Word of Life Church, 1900 N Bagley St,
Alpena, MI
Sale is same date/location as
iris show
July 13 IGEI Minnetrista Center, 1200 N Minnetrista Pky,
Muncie, IN
Open to public 12 – 4 pm
July 26 & Aug
2
TriCo Meridian Farmer’s Market, 5151 Marsh Rd,
Okemos, MI
Contact Lori @ 517.203.4050
for more information
July 27 NEIIS Botanical Conservatory, 1100 S Calhoun St, Fort
Wayne, IN
Set up 9:30 am; Open to public
at noon
Aug 2 SWMIS Bank St Farmer’s Market, 1204 Bank St,
Kalamazoo, MI
Open to public @ 7 am
Aug 16 IDIS Sullivan’s Hardware Parking Lot, 6995 N Keystone Ave, Indianapolis, IN
Open 10 – 4:00
Aug 16 NEOIS Old Independence Town Hall; 6652 Brecksville
Rd.; Independence, Oh.
Set up 11:00 am; rhizome/
plant auction starts @ noon
Aug 18 ICOWM Courtland Township Hall, 7450 14 Mile Rd NE, Rockford, MI
Iris & Plant Auction begins 7 pm
Sept 15 ICOWM Courtland Township Hall, 7450 14 Mile Rd NE,
Rockford, MI
Auction of Paul Black iris
begins 7 pm
Featuring Three Guest Gardens
Hoover
Guest Garden
Located at the
home of Roger
and Penny Hoover
in NW corner of
Union City, IN.
92 guest irises on
display.
+Hundreds of
Hoovers’ irises in
their many beds.
Hill
Guest GardenLocated at the
home of Bob and
Beverly Hill west
of Union City, IN
92 guest irises on
display.
+Scores of Hills’
irises in their many
beds.
Hill
Guest Garden
Harter Park
Guest Garden
Located at the far
west end of Union
City, IN
105 guest irises
on display.
Conference Lodging
AIS Region 6 Spring Meeting
. . . in Winchester and Union City, Indiana by Thomas Tomlinson
Mark your calendar for May 16 and 17, 2014 for the AIS Region 6 Spring
Conference. The conference’s headliners will be three guest iris gardens each containing 95-100 irises from twenty six hybridizers.
Iris Growers of Eastern Indiana have worked many hours to prepare, plant, label and care for the guest iris, which will certainly provide all who attend a great show of bloom.
The headquarters for the conference will be the new Randolph Inn
in Winchester, Indiana.
Start planning now for the conference by acquiring items for the
auction.
-19- Region 6 spring 2014
Above Roger Hoover prepares one of the many beds in the guest iris gardens. Right, Bob Hill plants one of over 300 guest irises for the 2014 Spring Region 6 Conference.
Harter Park – 105 guest irises on display Hill Family Garden – 92 guest irises on display plus scores of iris in other beds Hover Family Garden – 92 guest irises on display plus hundreds of irises in their many beds
‘Blushing Again’ (Swann-Young, 2012)
‘Double Dare’ (Lockatell, 2009)
‘Just Call Me’ (Wilkerson, 2008) All photos: T.Tomlinson
Registration Form
American Iris Society (AIS) Region 6
Spring Meeting and Guest Garden Tour
May 16 & 17, 2014
Winchester and Union City, Indiana
Name: ___________________________________ Name: ____________________________________
(Name as you would like it to appear on badge) (Name as you would like it to appear on badge)
Address:__________________________________ Address: __________________________________
City: _________________ State:____ Zip:_______ City: ________________ State:____ Zip:_______
Phone: ___________________________________ Phone: ___________________________________
Email:____________________________________ Email:____________________________________
Full Registration (all events). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ___________persons x $70.00 = ____________
Guest Garden Tours only (lunch and booklet). . . . . . ___________persons x $25.00 = ____________
Banquet & program only . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ___________persons x $45.00= _____________
TOTAL= _____________
Make checks payable to: Barbara Bunnell
Mail this registration form and check to:
Barb Bunnell , Registrar
7941 Peshewa Drive
Lafayette, IN 47905
email: [email protected]
Phone: 765-296-6955
Registration(s) must be received by Friday, May 2, 2014
Special Dietary Requirements:___________________________________________________________
Room Reservations:
Randolph Inn and Suites
890 East Washington Street
US Hwy 27 & SR 32
Winchester, IN 47394
765-584-8281
866-584-8281
www.randolphinnandsuites.com
-20- Region 6 spring 2014