Tall Bearded Iris 'Magharee' (For my File)

Look at the size of that beard !!!

Gg

No pollinating today, much too damp.
On the subject of pollination, it is said that's it's not necessary to emasculate the pod parent as bees find difficulty in getting into the modern flowers. However I've found lots of tiny beetles around the stigmatic lip, makes me wonder.

Hi

They are pollen beetles , as soon as the oil seed rape has finished flowering in the farmers fields they arrive on mass looking for food.

Gg

Thanks Gg, didn't know that. No fields around here for miles. Do they fly? Wonder if they sometimes get to pollinate an Iris flower before me?

Yes they do fly ... sounds reasonable they may pollinate but they are more interested in eating the pollen.

Gg

Hope they keep off my pollen.