Members:

Here is the newsletter for July. Considering the weather, our gardens were spectacular this year. The colors were amazing. Now all we need is one of our average summers without all the hot, hot stuff coming our way. Maybe the last few weeks are an indication of a “normal” Montana summer again. Keep your shovels crossed.

Pete Addeo, Webmaster
Missoula Iris Society
http://www.missoulairis.com

DATE & TIME: SATURDAY, JULY 11TH, 6:30 pm.

PLACE:   Home of Jim and Linda Sadler, 1220 Clements Rd.  Call 728-4743 for directions.

PROGRAM:  No program as known

"FYI" NEWS

Median Show – “Colors in Nature”:  Gary Clark, chair. I want to say thanks to all of the exhibitors for all of their participation, the judges and clerks as well. Thanks to Betty Ann for the ribbon making, and to Swede, Jim and Linda Sadler, Ron & Donna Dowell, Alverta and Roger for all their devoted hours of setting up, staying all day at the show and for tearing down the displays. There were 11 exhibitors with 70 entries.

Best of Show – Elizabeth Friesz with IB, “Glazed Gold”

Best SDB – Fred Frey, “Neutron”

Best MDB – Roger Muir, “Wise”

Best Design – Jim Sadler, “Open Winter of Montana” using ale dried & brown iris (“Gingerbread Man”)

Sweepstakes Awards:

     Silver Award – most blues – Roger Muir with 15 blues

     Bronze Award – Elizabeth Friesz with 11 blues

Iris Show was held June 13, 2009.  Report from Donna Dowell.......

WE HAD 17 ENTRANTS, INCLUDING 3 NOVICE NONMEMBERS.

 A TOTAL OF 111 BLOOMS.

BEST OF SHOW WAS WON BY DONNA DOWELL WITH THE BLOOM BLACK SUITED.

BEST OF SHOW BY A NOVICE WAS WON BY LEONA WYKOFF.

BEST OF SHOW DESIGN WAS WON BY GARY CLARK FOR THE DESIGN,GEMINI.

ARTISTIC AWARD WAS WON BY DONNA DOWELL.

PEOPLES CHOICE AWARD WAS WON BY RON DOWELL WITH GNU AGAIN.

THE GOLD MEDAL WAS WON BY ELIZEBETH FREISE WITH 11 BLUE RIBBONS

THE BRONZE MEDAL WAS WON BY GARY CLARK WITH 10 BLUE RIBBONS.

MARKER TAGS -  Tags to mark your iris for the sale should be available at our meeting, or contact Ron Dowell.

SCHEDULE FOR JULY
Lots of things going on in July, as this is our last important event of the summer.  Schedule as follows:

ANNUAL RHIZOME SALE is to be held Saturday, July 25th from 9 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Fort Missoula. Sorting and drop off location is Addeo's back yard in Linda Vista.  Address is 5805 Helena Dr. Call 251-5833 for directions.  Drop off your cleaned and labeled rhizomes to their garage between Tuesday July 21st thru Wednesday at 9:00 p.m. prior to the sale. PLEASE TRY TO COME AND HELP SORT ON THURSDAY AND FRIDAY!! 

Sale Committee - Sale Chairpersons is Ron Dowell. Please donate your paper grocery bags to the sale.

FORT GARDENS WORK PARTY  - Sunday, July 19- 10:00 a.m. until ???   This is always a fun work party, watching  Pete soak himself as he cleans the iris, so join in the fun. We will be digging, cleaning, dividing, and labeling. Unfinished work carried to Addeo's to be finished on Mon and Tues, if needed. Bring scissors, clippers, garden marker pens, paper grocery bags and bug spray.

HELP NEEDED:  Some people have tons of iris to divide and dig, and may need help digging or cleaning.  Volunteer your services where needed.  Calls may be put out for help if needed on Monday and Tuesday before the sale.  Of course,  help is needed Thursday and Friday with sorting, organizing, etc. and help is needed on Saturday with the sale.

SORTING WORK PARTIES - Thursday and Friday, July 23rd and 24th  9:00 a.m. to Noon, 2:00 p.m. to 5:00, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Addeo's back yard. PLEASE TRY TO COME AND HELP SORT, IF ONLY FOR A COUPLE OF HOURS

STONE SOUP PARTY - Friday, July 24^th, 6:30 p.m. at Addeo's. Bring a soup ingredient, we'll supply the meat stock. Or bring a dessert or bread.

     Saturday, July 25th - 7:30 a.m.  Set up for the sale at Fort Missoula.  Bring pitchforks.

     Saturday - 1:15 p.m. - PARTY TIME!  After-sale party after the sale is closed and clean up is completed.  We meet in the back patio of Billie Gray's home at 1558 S.6th St West.  Pizza, chicken, soft drinks and beer provided. This is usually where we all receive the Presidential Rhizomes we won during the year.  We also have a fun auction on any extras we receive.

RHIZOME SALE GUIDELINES

Please read the Pre-Sale guidelines & Clarifications carefully. These guidelines were put together to avoid confusion during the sale preparations on Thursday and Friday.

SALE GUIDELINES:
1. Iris rhizomes shall be grown by MIS members only.
2. ALL RHIZOMES are to be WASHED, TRIMMED & LABELED as to variety and type PRIOR to delivery to the collection site. Trim fans to about 4 inches - 6 inches depending on type and roots to about 4 inches. MIS will provide labels. These labels should be stapled to the leaves. MDB's and SDB's should be in bundles of three rhizomes. IB's and MTB's should be in bundles of two rhizomes. Beardless iris  are to be in clumps.
3.  Iris varieties introduced 30 years or more before the year of the sale are to be labeled with year of introduction and separated from newer varieties.
4.  Pricing of rhizomes is at the discretion of the sale committee. Age is considered but NOT color for setting the price.
5.  All rhizomes are to be delivered to the designated collection site by 9pm WEDNESDAY preceding the sale.
6.  Sorting, etc. will be done on THURSDAY and competed on FRIDAY. Chairperson to select committee of MIS members to assist in this process.
7.  There are to be NO PRE-SALE orders.

PRE-SALE CLARIFICATIONS:
1. There is to be NO TRADING of rhizomes among members at the COLLECTION SITE.  Members ARE encouraged to share or trade before bringing rhizomes to the collection site.
2.  The sale chairperson shall determine which varieties may be traded / purchased by the MIS members. The trading / sale hours are Thursday, 6pm - 9pm and Friday, 9am - 12pm.
3.  Members donating rhizomes may:
        A. Take ONE rhizome for each variety donated (no matter how many of any one variety are donated)
        B. Take LIKE variety donated (SDB for SDB, TB for TB, etc)
        C. Take NO MORE THAN ONE (1) RHIZOME of any one variety.
        D. May NOT choose from a variety that has fewer than SIX rhizomes in the box.
4.  Members NOT donating rhizomes may purchase rhizomes (with the above restrictions)
5.  Varieties 5 years and newer from date of introduction will be so marked and priced accordingly.  Fort Display Garden Chairperson has first choice of any varieties.
6.  GRAB BAGS of iris rhizomes may be made up of unnamed or overstocked varieties at discretion of the chairperson by Friday.

HOPE TO SEE EVERYONE AT THE SALE !

It's Their Birthday!!....Let's Give 'Em a Cheer!!!

Happy day to Cindy Davis – July 5th, Fred Frey – July 20^th and Billie Gray – July 12th. Happy Birthday to all.

Minutes of June 6, 2009 Meeting:

This month’s meeting was held at the home of Elizabeth Friesz.  President Ron Dowell called the meeting to order.  The treasurer’s report was presented by Swede Gustafson as follows:

            Savings Account

                        Balance:  April 30, 2009                          $ 5402.83

                                    Interest earned                                   2.00

                                    Judges Training Income                      30.00

                        Balance:  May 31, 2009                           $ 5434.83

            Checking Account

                        Balance:  March 30, 2009                       $ 3416.66

                                    Deposits of Memberships                  63.00

                                    Expenses Paid                               174.83

                        Balance:  May 31, 2009                           $ 3304.83  corrected total per phone conversation with Swede

Memberships paid since March report:  Tom Thompson, Ann Violette, Jean Marcaraeg, Leona Wyckoff, Nancy and Pat Ryan, and Cleo Swanson.

            Expenses paid since March Report

                        Betty Ann Gustafson                  $  20.99  for Sunshine business

                        Gary Clark                                     57.11  for Median Show

                        Paul Ronaldo Sprinklers                  70.00  for Fort Garden sprinkler repairs

                        Swede Gustafson                          26.73  for Sib. bed wall reconstruction

                                    Total Expenses               $174.83

It was moved by Fred Frey and seconded by Billie Gray that the treasurer’s report be accepted as published in the Falls and Standards.  The motion passed.

The May, 2009, minutes were amended as follows:  Under Fort Gardens, the phrase “a sign for the new versicolor iris” be changed to read “a sign for the versicolor iris.”  The versicolor iris have been in the garden for quite awhile.  The Shed report should read that Swede Gustafson would see that the shed got painted.  He would not actually be involved in the painting.  Ed Verplancke moved the minutes be approved as amended.  Leona Wyckoff seconded the motion, and it passed.

Old Business

Committee Reports

            Iris Show:  The Show programs were handed out. The theme is “Reach To The        Stars.”  Fred Frey reported that he has placed advertising in all the media.  Donna Dowell reported that the judges are expected to be Cindy Davis, Gary Clark, Swede Gustafson, Roger Muir, and Ann Violette. Cindy may not judge if she is still sick.  Donna also said more clerks were needed.  Alayne Hilditch and Anita Cervenak volunteered.

            The set up for the show will be Friday, June 12, 2009, beginning at 8:00 p.m. at Southgate Mall in Penney’s courtyard. Everyone was encouraged to help. Twenty tables are needed for the show. Southgate Mall management provides the tables.  There was some discussion as to whether twenty tables were available.  The consensus of the group was to rent more tables if more were needed.  No formal vote was taken on this point.  All the blocks and tubes and table dressings used for staging are to be brought to the Mall. Most are currently stored in the shed; a few are at Gary Clark’s.

            Entry registrations will begin at 6:30 a.m., Saturday, June 13, 2009, and close about 9:45 a.m.  A judges’ and clerks’ meeting will be held in the Community Room starting at 9:30 a.m. Judging will begin at 10:00 a.m. No entries will be allowed once the judging has begun. The Community Room will be open at 9:00 a.m.  Coffee and donuts will be set up in the Community Room.  The donuts and coffee will be provided by Ron and Donna Dowell.

            The banquet following the judging will be at the Montana Club on North Reserve. Start time: 5:30 p.m.  Food will be chosen from the menu.

            Sale:  Fred Frey has made up posters that specifically advertise the sale.  He asked that members take some and spread them around town.  He, again, asked those putting up posters check back weekly to see that the posters are still up.  Some stores take them down on a weekly basis. Betty Ann Gustafson said she would make more copies of posters. These would be placed on the corners of the display tables during the Iris Show for people to pick up and to take home.

            Shed:  There is still one back door to finish and hang.  Bob Brown has requested    that MIS get this done as soon as possible because homeless people are sleeping in the open end of the shed. This is a liability issue for the Museum.

            Zona Lindemann, after consulting with Bob Brown, said that he would like the shed to match the building next door.  He would rather have colored stain than paint on the shed.  Bob felt that stain would last longer.  Zona checked with ACE Hardware, and they can match the color on the adjacent building.  Bob said the Museum has an account at ACE, and it was possible for MIS to obtain the stain there.

            Swede Gustafson talked with Steve Bayha of Paint by Numbers about painting the shed.  Steve estimated that he could spray paint the entire building for $765.00 not including the trim and soffits if MIS members caulked in all the seams and cracks prior to his painting.  Steve would use Flood SWF-SOLID, a premium acrylic finish designed specifically for outdoor wood surfaces including T1-11.  Steve estimated that it would take 13 gallons of paint. We need to give Steve a two-day notice when we’re ready to paint.  Bob Brown wants the shed finished and painted in time for the Fort’s Fourth of July celebration.  Donna Dowell moved    that we hire Steve Bayha to paint the shed and that we finish the painting by the Fourth of July. Ed Verplancke seconded. The motion passed.

            Swede said he would talk with Pete Addeo about getting the remaining door finished and hung.

            Fort Gardens:  Billie Gray announced that she has been weeding at the Fort Gardens on Friday afternoons.  Everyone is invited to come and weed with her.  Actually she encouraged us to weed any day of the week that fit our individual schedules. We desperately need to have the weeds gone by July Fourth.

            Billie made a plea for keeping the soil inside the beds when weeding. Or, if that isn’t possible, to make sure the soil that spills over into the grass is put back into the beds so the edging is not bridged by the soil. The grass has an uncanny knack             of finding the “bridges” and gleefully invading all that virgin soil!

            Maps of the beds were passed out by Billie. Each bed was divided into numbered “weeding” sections.  Every person was encouraged to take on one or two sections as their personal responsibility.  Billie is keeping a master map for those of us who may forget our section number(s).

            Digging for the sale will be Sunday, July 19, 2009.  Start time is 10:00 a.m.  People are also needed all day to help wash and label the iris.

The Presidential rhizome was won by Billie Gray.

It was moved by Ed Verplancke and seconded by Betty Ann Gustafson that the meeting be adjourned, and so it was!

Respectively submitted,

Zona Lindemann, Secretary

Fred Frey presented a short program about the rot problems he has in his gardens this spring.  One of his beds has iris with fans and stalks smashed down as though someone had stepped on them.  When he pulled off the fans, a foul odor occurred.  The rhizomes were soft and pudding-like.  The tips of the fans turn brown.  The problem was mainly confined to a bed that he had planted two years ago.  Fred passed around some pictures he had taken of his diseased iris.  He went on line to see if he could find out what kind of rot he had and what to do about it.  He found that there are four basic rots found in iris.  They are crown rot, dry rot, gray bulb rot and soft rot.  These rots are caused by different fungi from the same family.  Gray bulb rot displays small brown pellets on the iris at the soil line.  The on-line sources suggested he treat his affected beds every week to 10 days with a PCN trichlore drench. Both Ortho and Bayer have products with this ingredient.  Our weather this spring has been ideal for fungal growth.  Fred didn’t know how the fungus got on his iris, but he noted that the Oregon growers have had to treat their iris and soils every year to keep a handle on these diseases.

Thank you, Fred, for this timely information and the caution to pay closer attention to our iris.  And thank you to Elizabeth for sharing her home and gardens with us.