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So I am an iris newbie who has always had iris but have really gotten interested in the hybrids over the past couple of years. So, I am in love with the flouncy fancy space agers. However, as I have been shopping I see that some of them do not always produce the horn, flounce etc. according to the pictures. I have been shopping on Blue J Iris. Is this an issue that can be helped with fertilizing or is it just a luck situation if your space agers really become spacey? Do you all know which ones are reliable?
I only have 2 space agers, Thornbird and Purple People Eater. Neither one has ever had flounces or spoons, just awesome beards. I wish I knew the answer to your question. Last summer I planted some new ones by Tom Burseen that are supposed to be space agers, so I guess I will have to wait and see what happens.
Thornbird is the only space-ager I have had -- last year was it's second year here, and it didn't bloom. So I don't know if it has spacers or not. Seems to me I bought another space-ager last year -- unwittingly, I didn't realize that it was one -- but right now I can't even remember which one it is. Guess I'll find out in the Spring.
Every day is a second chance. Every day is precious time.
Thanks everyone! I also posted this question to Superstition on their facebook page and got a similar response. Sounds like the genetics is quite variable in producing the SA characteristics. I still love them so I just have to pick some more to plant this year (feeling the need to attend an IA meeting). I planted Mesmerizer and Scented Bubbles this August. I am very anxious to see how they bloom. My wish list right now includes Air Hog, Awesome Alex, Thornbird and Concertina. One thing I have been doing is asking myself if I love the iris without the SA traits.
Hi Lana. . . the way I understand it, space age iris are normally judged on their ability to produce at least similar ornaments off the ends of their beards, either horns, spoons or flounces and a "good" space ager is supposed to produce these ornaments right up to the last flower. So much for the official standard. However, in my experience, space agers that will do this seem to be pretty rare. I don't have too many of this type of iris and now I'm wondering if weather/soil and so on might have something to do with it. The one that I have that best produces similar ornaments throughout the bloom is a Stetson cultivar, Finnegan's Finagling Factor, but I find that the falls tend to fold in the middle.
Lana, "Thornbird" should be very easy to get as it is a Dykes medal winner. I have it and it is very reliable with its SA production. I don't have either of the other three, but I have a friend who has "Concertina" and I will be getting it from them. Here a re a few pics of their plant. This was one clump. Note the differences in the beards. These were blooms on different stalks; though I saw this different production on flowers on the same stalk as well.
Do you all know which ones are reliable? 
