I really enjoyed learning and writing about Hydrangea the other day (read the post here), so I decided to continue down this path of knowledge acquisition, and Iris seemed like the perfect flower to study up on next.
Perhaps this is because Iris puts the blue (and white!) in "red, white and blue" and the Fourth of July is coming up quick. The more likely culprit is seeing it popping up around the farm a lot more lately. Getting a constant eyeful of Telstar and friends has brought the fact that I don't know much about Iris to the forefront of my consciousness. And as we all know by now, when I don't know something about flowers, I seek out some answers!
Here are the facts that have opened my eyes and broadened my Iris horizons:
What is Iris?
I'm starting simple here, and simply put: Iris is a bulb flower (at least the type we grow) with tall, straight stems and fancy flowers. I have to admit I knew that one already, but now that we're all on the same page...
The Meaning of Iris
Thanks to Google, I now know that Iris, derived from the Greek word for rainbow, symbolizes faith, wisdom, hope and valor. To the Chinese, it is the dancing spirit of early summer. It is also the flower behind the fleur-de-lis, one of the most well-recognized symbols in the world.
Oddly enough, when I read these meanings, each one of them rang true (except for maybe rainbow, but that's just me). Something about the Iris, perhaps it's long and sturdy stem or its strange, delicate-seeming blooms, seems regal and wise. The only thing I would add to the list is tranquility. One look at a bunch of Iris and I'm immediately transported to a quiet, sunny field caressed by a light breeze. This may seem cheesy, but you'd probably envision the same image, too, if you had that very scene just a short bike ride away from your office door!
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| "Sunny" Iris field (Ironically, it was cloudy the day I took this pic!) |
The Cultivation of Iris If you were to take that short bike ride, you would meet with one of our Iris Picking Team Members, who could tell you a bit about how the Summer Iris is grown and harvested at Sun Valley, which is precisely what I did this week. Here is a brief breakdown of what I learned:
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| las llenas |
Our Iris bulbs come predominantly from our partners in Holland, and until they're ready to be planted, they stay dormant in heated rooms (about 87 degrees Fahrenheit). Summer Iris bulbs are planted in lines of fresh soil in open fields during the springtime, usually in March, or as soon and as often as the rain allows. (Just a side note, these cool, foggy Arcata summers are ideal for growing Iris in the field.) The Irises grow for around two and a half to three months before they are ready to be harvested. The Iris crew knows to pick them when they become "las llenas" (loosely translated as "the full"), or when they are showing darker color through the leaves fully from the base of the bloom to the tip of the flower. It takes an experienced eye to notice this change, as it can be hard to detect on a cloudy day or when facing the sun. Luckily we've got an experienced Iris Picking Team always up for that challenge! After the Irises are graded, they are hydrated overnight in our warehouse coolers before moving on to their next destination: the customer!
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| Experienced Iris Picking Team |
Almost as important as the proper production of Iris is proper care once it's in the vase (or bucket). As with most flowers, you should cut about an inch off the end of the stem and remove any leaves below the water line, then immediately place the flower into a somewhat warm water-preservative solution. (By the way, the type of water you're using can be a deal-breaker. Some tap water has too much chlorine or minerals that can negatively impact the vase life of your Iris. Water softeners can also be your Iris's enemy. For more fragile varieties of Iris, often times those with colors other than blue, you may want to use bottled water.) Now display the flowers in a cool spot sans direct sunlight and drafts. Check on the water level once in awhile and enjoy!
The Iris's Iris
I can't close this post without mentioning the Telstar, which would don a cape and call itself "Wonder Iris" if it could walk and talk. It makes up a large percentage of our Iris growing program and for good reason: It is the only cut blue Iris to open fully every time, and it has the strongest stems and the longest vase life out of any other Iris. It's basically the cut Iris that all others aspire to be!
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| Buckets full of Telstar, the "Wonder Iris" |
Now that I've shared this information with you, I hope that you are experiencing the same feelings of Iris enlightenment that I recently did. Whether it makes you think of the American flag, a sunny field or even a rainbow, this is a sublime and interesting flower, perfect for topping your tables this summer!
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