'Ghost Writer'

 

Jim Morris, the Managing Editor for the Irises Bulletin, could use your help.  He is just starting to assemble articles for the Summer edition.  Do you have an article you are eager to write?  The deadline for this edition is May 15th.  You can contact Jim at morrisje1@aol.com about your ideas for this or future editions.

While you are thinking about writing, remember that your Sections, Region, and Clubs also need your input.  They also are eager to hear what you would like to contribute to their bulletins and newsletters.  My back of the envelope estimate is there are approximately 714 bulletin and newsletter issues annually that would benefit from your articles and stories.

In addition to these, consider the World of Irises blog, the websites for Sections, your Region, and your Club, the Iris Encyclopedia, and News & Notes as opportunities for you to share your experience and expertise.  They all contain a wealth of iris information and could use more! 

You also can share your love of irises through other publications - your local newspapers for example - and channels.  Think about it: What would you like to share?

If you need help contacting any of these, please let us know.  We'll be glad to point you in a number of directions.

	'Dusky Billabong'

 

Last month we asked you if having the AIS 2017 Calendar available early would be desirable.  Thanks to your responses, the Greater Portland Iris Society's generosity, and Janet Smith's devotion, preparation of the calendars is underway.  And you can order them now.

The form for ordering your calendars through the AIS storefront is available here (PDF).  Note that there is a discount for early orders placed before May 1st.  They will be shipped as soon as available.

The Greater Portland Iris Society provided a generous donation to enable the early preparation of these calendars.  And they also requested the donation be used to create a revolving fund continuing calendar creation in future years.  Thank you for this donation and your innovative approach!

Thank you also to Lois Rose and Andi Rivarola for publicizing this.  Lois has been including information about the calendars with her approvals of show schedules.  You may have also seen the calendars notice on Facebook from Andi.

 

Did you know: You can see an iris show every weekend from now to June 19th!  This list of over 100 shows that have already been approved has them all by date.  Use it to prepare your itinerary heading to the Convention or take a quick weekend drive.

 

Is the theme for this year's AIS Convention in Newark, NJ.  See an invitation from Convention Co-Chair Paul Gossett, the schedule on the Convention website, and this list of topics and speakers.  Lots and lots of irises: 1800+ guest plants in 888 varieties from 99 hybridizers!  Plus all the other irises in the three host gardens which includes Presby Memorial Iris Gardens.

The Convention website has all the details.  Learn about registration here.  Then follow the registration link to the registration form (PDF).

 

	'Boutique Fashion'

 

The 2016 AIS Convention Boutique is now accepting items for the Boutique. Please contact Jill Bonino at jillbon@earthlink.net to make arrangements to have a booth in the Boutique.  Among others there will be iris jewelry, embroidered clothing, and other items such as towels.

Also, we are looking for volunteers to help assist in the Boutique as well as other parts of the 2016 Convention. If you are interested in volunteering please contact Al Elliott at aaelliott@grandecom.net or you may contact Paul Gossett at pwgossett@juno.com, telephone (918)853-6204.

Shipping details for the Boutique can be found here (PDF).  Thank you for your donations.

	2010 Landscape Winner Elise Ange

 

Accepting entries that is.  So now is the time to take iris photos.  There are lots of opportunities: Iris Shows, the 2016 Convention, public (and private) gardens, and all the great irises you are growing (insert your own links here).

There are 6 categories and both adult and youth photographers may enter.  Entries will be received from May 1st to July 31st (midnight).  Contest details, including prizes for the winners, can be found here.  That page also has a link to the entry form, which is this PDF. Questions and entries can be emailed to Janet Smith at gbyp456@gmail.com or send your photo CD and form to the address on the form.

Previous winning photos can be seen in the Irises Bulletin and in the links on this page.  Best wishes to everyone in this year's contest!

	'Foreign Exchange'

 

With the bloom season just starting many places, an interesting new opportunity: pollen exchanges.  This is a way for iris lovers to work together to create new irises.  The Dwarf Iris Society and the Aril Society International are offering it and listing pollen for all types of bearded irises.

Years ago the first Standard Dwarf Irises were conceived from pollen shipped in the mail between Paul Cook and Geddes Douglas.  Now you may use the same means to make a cross with a rare pollen parent.  Or you could produce crosses where the parents do not bloom at the same time when grown together.  What unusual crosses can you make?

This is different than seed exchanges.  Pollen does not go to a central location, which would be slower.  To learn all the details and what pollen is/may be available, see this Iris Encyclopedia page.  That is also where you can offer to donate pollen.

 

There usually are not any iris in bloom here this time of year.  So we added some I. reticulata bulbs last fall.  Many of them were already in bloom March 30th as you can see in this month's jigsaw puzzle.  You can play both the standard difficulty puzzle and the harder difficulty puzzle.