August and September

​DOG DAYS
Warm summer days are for iris chores:  Dig-divide-plant rhizomes, ship orders to customers, pick seed pods and plant seeds in pots, and……….take time to enjoy the rebloom.  Ghio’s ‘Lady Friend’ (top of page) is an old favorite among rebloomers.   She’s a pretty lady with reliable RE.
 
If you made crosses earlier this year, now begins the Long Wait to see the results.   With rare exception, irises grown from seed typically take two years to produce their first bloom.   To avoid the waiting game, make at least a few crosses every year. Once you get rolling, you’ll have new seedlings blooming every year.
 
Take a break from garden chores and come to our annual potluck and auction on August 20.  The auction is a benefit of OTIS membership and provides members with the opportunity to add newly introduced irises to their gardens at well below market prices.  Cool deal. 
 
Naturally, we eat first.  Bring a favorite dish to share (appetizer, vege, entrée, or dessert) and your own place setting.   We’ll open the room at 11 a.m. to arrange the tables for auction plants and the food buffet.  Consider bringing your iris catalogs to look up photos of varieties you don’t know.
 
If you grow and sell irises, please bring some of your newly released varieties to include in the auction and thank you for doing so.  We are deeply grateful for your donations.   
 
Come hungry and bring your wallet.   Cash or check only.   No IOUs.  No reselling of auction irises.
Don’t stop there.  Iris Fever has been referred to as a disease by some avid iris lovers.   Can’t get enough of them!  You’ll find terrific irises at our iris sale on September 17 at Al’s Garden Center in Woodburn.