It's not impossible but highly unlikely. The only true way to prove identty is to grow a correctly named cultivar beside the suspect. A line-up! They will branch identically and open at the same time, etc. A slight angle change can widen falls (or standards). Some cameras have more barrel distortion which will do that automatically. I look particularly at beards and hafts. And the "feel" of an iris. It would certainly be helpful if pictures of a stalk showing bud/flower placement were available. Unfortunately height can vary from year to year. Drought can affect the size of the bloom. Many variables. I'd label this iris as "probably Albicans". Measure height again this spring and note its branching. Happy hybridizing!

Without seeing a picture, by your description I'd say that the white rice things are springtails which are all part of the microherd that help to break down any food that's introduced. I always find afew of them in the catch trays. On the other hand, if you're adding too much food, then you're bin is too wet and what you might be seeing is white mites which are an indication that things are too wet in your bin. Adding some dry shredded newspaper and holding off on feeding will dry things out and get rid of the mites. There's no need to add hydrated lime to your bins. I add dry crushed eggshells which can be pulverized with a rolling pin or a coffee grinder. A tablespoon everycouple of weeks or so is all you need, but it's not absolutely neccessary. After 2 years of vermicomposting I've never had any major problems. Hope this helps. Good luck. mataka4

Hi Kath - Thank you for replying. Evidently they are New Zealand mud snails which are harmless to the worms except that they are extremely invasive and will reproduce my the thousand within a week or two. One of the people on another forum had them in her aquarium and she had to clean out her aquarium twice with scalding hot water to get rid of them. She had to boil her rocks, etc. as well. So I have to remove all of my worms and cocoons from the bedding and rinse them off with warm water and then place them in fresh new bedding after thoroughly cleaning my bin and trays with super hot water. The only best way to kill the snails is to drop them and their eggs in salt water. So I figure after I remove my worms and eggs I'll dump all of the bedding and compost into a bucket of salt water and then dispose of it. I hope my worms are just slow like yours. :P Maybe it's just the type I have - I have Indian Blues.

Lav: It's just that fridge and big sink on that wall seem to eat up all the countertop. Plus, the fridge needs like, 4" minimum clearance against a fixed wall... I wish that wall were a little longer cause I'd love to have the fridge to the left of the sink like that. I always seem to want to prep to the left of the sink. I don't know if I can change that habit, can I? I get having a prep sink closer to the stove, but this copper sink is made for prep with the cutting board that sits on the ledge and the drain tray. Not to mention that after what that thing cost, DH will probably throw up if I mention getting another sink, lol. Bellsmom: I was told that having the whole wall open is a problem with structural stuff. That's why DH wants a rustic railing with upright beams in part of the opening. I can't tell exactly but the island makes the walk around about 30"... seems too close to the step down for safety? Rosie: Your words are food for thought. I am definitely a sink/window prepper. I tend to live in front of the sink for some reason. Don't really see myself doing too much between the fridge and stove (in the original layout) And, as I said above, I tend to want to work to the left of the sink. Angie's idea is very appealing though. I like the smaller area to cook in and less walking around. I like the fridge out of the main area, so anyone can get something without, 'excuse me'. The one thing DH does is make adult beverages (killer old fashioneds for those familiar with Wisconsinites) and we're always in each others way when that happens. I thought a bar sink over by the window could double as a kind of prep sink and I'd have mondo storage over there, too. But, it does close up the room somewhat, at least for traffic, but maybe not in a bad way. Idaho: thanks for the info and I was kinda thinking that empty corner could be a safe cubby or something like that. Keep our Cracken in there, lol. Marcolo: are you saying to leave the fridge as it is in Angies plan? I'll have to play around with that configuration, too. Thank you...