My friend Dave contacted me a couple of days ago to ask me if my plant of Iris kolpakowskiana was in flower and, if it was, could we try cross pollinating between our plants in the hope of getting some seeds.
I confirmed that my plant was in flower so Dave popped round today with his and we went to the greenhouse to instigate proceedings. An anther was removed from each plant and applied to the stigmatic surface of the other. We then withdrew for a post-coital coffee.
Iris kolpakowskiana is a species within the Reticulate Iris group. The more common reticulate Irises are a feature of many gardens in late winter. Iris kolpakowskiana is, however, very rare in cultivation and requires specialist care and a very careful watering regime. It is native to the mountains of Central Asia (e.g. Kazakhstan). And is very much a snowmelt plant that is adapted to cold winters and long dry summers with a very brief growing season in spring when snowmelt provides sufficient water. It is a challenging plant to grow and it is a remarkable coincidence that Dave and I both maintain plants only a few miles apart, and that they have flowered the same weekend. Fingers crossed that seed will be produced!
Apologies if you clicked on this post expecting something else π
You are so naughty! Such a beautiful little iris!
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I do try π
It is gorgeous isnβt it? One of my favourites.
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This was my first experience with a horticultural post. It was very good for me. I feel like I should smoke a cigarette now.
(Great post!)
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Thank you. Neither of us smokes so we just stuck with coffeeπ
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Lol! I don’t smoke either, but apparently that’s what people do after pollinating orchids. Perhaps I watched too many movies from the 1950s and 60s. Have you ever read any Nero Wolf books? Your post put me in mind of him since he likes growing orchids. Not the same as a kolpakowskiana, true enough, but apparently both are very hard to grow.
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Never read the books but vaguely remember a tv show back in the 70s!
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i got a bit worried for a sec lol!
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Wifey loved it too!
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I thought both of you would like it when I took the pictures. π. Could not resist adding some irreverent humour. You know meπ
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You would love our iris collection! Lots of photos coming this spring!
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Good! I have always loved Irises pretty much above all other flowers. Look forward to your picturesπβ€οΈ
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Usually i never read “this” kind of post , but knew that you’re not that kind of person and i was right! Hopefully you’ll have your seeds
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Glad it made you smile, and thank youππ
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Thatβs great! I would love to see what happens next with them. π
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Fingers crossed eh?ππ
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Definitely!
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Mmmm you tricked us all hereπI love iris but my pots are still far behind yoursπ
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I have quite a few reticulata iris in flower now that were nowhere in sight last weekend so it will not be long to wait for yoursππ
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I hope soπ
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My first time reading flower porn… ππ
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My first time writing it ππ
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That was a beautiful coupling! It was good for me…hope it was for you two (pun intended). May your seeds run rampant with success! πππ
The dwarf Iris was fantastic too!
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Glad you enjoyed it as much as I didππ
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Well, now i won’t feel so bad when i post close-ups of bugs mating! π
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Really funny and interesting post. I thought the cross pollinating was like a surgical procedure, meticulous, precise and clean… Clean flower porn at its best! Did enjoy it as the pics shows details of the procedure. Nice mix of humour and info! If you keep writing catchy and sensational titles like that you could get a job as a journalist. π
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Thank youπ. It will be interesting to
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Hit send by mistake. It will be interesting to see if there is a spike in my reader stats! I might have found the way to draw in more visitorsπβ€
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Ha, ha… But the only way to keep them addicted to your blog is by doing what you do best which is BE yourself The Arty Plantsman: a kind, honest, creative, intelligent and funny artist!
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I am blushing now sweetieπ
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Good… Blush is after all such a beautiful color! π
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Im usually very pale at this time of year, except after a workout when I am dometimes beetroot!
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Another beautiful color! π I will start worry if you turn blue though!
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If it got me a couple of weeks off work I would be prepared to risk itπ
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I cant wait to hear how it all turns out. You didnt let Molly watch, did you? π€£
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Nah, she isn’t around. Anyway if she can’t eat it she is not intetestedπ
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You saucy sauce pot!
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Fantastic post! Can’t wait to see how this turns out. Iris is quite a gal π Absolutely gorgeous color!
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Glad you liked it Lisaπ.
My horticultural claim to fame is that I was the first person ever to obtain seed of the rare Chinese Fritillaria davidii in cultivation. Let us hope for similar luck this time!
This Iris is Daveβs favourite too. He has been lucky enough to see it in the wild too as he is a part time tour leader for an ecotourist company.
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You always know how to make me laugh!!!! Brilliant idea for a post! And fingers crossed that it works!!! β€
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Thank you Martinaππ. I could not resist, and I am glad I didnβtππ
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It never fails to amaze me the weird and wonderful things that people get up to in their spare time!! Must be one for the Guinness Book of Records!
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Spare time? I have heard tell of this mysterious thing. I believe it happens to other people but I have never caught a glimpse myself….
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Is that a good or a bad thing one wonders?
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I am not sure either. I always want to tell ‘bored’ kids that there is no such thing as nothing to do – only a lack of imagination on their part.
Sometimes I wish it were easier to switch off but I get restless if not achieving ot learning something.
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Very well put Darren.
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LOL at the title for this post!!
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Got your attention did it ?ππ
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hehehe sure did π
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You’ve been nominated
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Thank you – I am honoured again π
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Welcome dear
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You’re a mess Darren, LOL! Fingers crossed for seeds!!
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A mess? Moi? πππ
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Post-coital coffee! Love it! Youβve actually made me laugh out loud …. brilliant. I love your artwork by the way … stunning. How can you not only be good at writing, but also horticulture and painting/drawing? This is most unfair! I am a mere fledgling in comparison but thoroughly enjoying your talents. More please!
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Oh thank you, what a lovely commentππ
I love your own writing by the way. Thoroughly enjoyed the posts i read on the bus this morningπ
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Oh the suspense lol
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Just a couple of stamens looking for a pistil!
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Bummer! this is false advertisement! π
Beautiful flowers though! π
Blessings!
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Thank you π
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LOL Darren this post cracked me up! I have to admit that the title was an eye-catcher! However knowing you, I had an idea it would be about your garden π
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I am not sure if your certainty it would be about my garden is a good thing…..ππ
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Hehehe very nice title! π
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Thank you. It seems some people were misled!ππ
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Hehe! Loved the poist-coital coffee afterwards! What a lovely iris – hope it worked!
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Me too π. Not sure my old heart could stand the excitement of a second dateππ
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Lol! π
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Lol, a single middle aged womans dream….Irises…:) Excellent informative post. Love it
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Ha!ππ. Thank you!
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