Hi Donald,
This is Bonnie from Ca. Cottontails will not do that, but who
will do that is Voles, aka Meadow Mice. Have you seen or heard them
munching? They did so much damage this pass fall. If the rhizome is still there
the will come back.
I can give you more information later. You are welcome to ask
questions. My husband and I feel like we are experts by now!!!
Good Luck!
----- Original Message -----
From:
d*@eastland.net
To: i*@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Sunday, January 30, 2011 5:26
PM
Subject: [iris-photos] CULT: year round
food
In summer and fall it's grasshoppers. In winter and spring when it's dry
it's something else. Not totally sure who the culpret is, but I strongly
suspect field rats. They were the cause year before last when it had been
dry and there was nothing green in the winter months. When I finally
caught
one in a trap it was as large as a tree squirrel. At least so far
they
aren't eating all the wiring they can find. It's not mice because a
wire
basket is enough to prevent further damage and they would have no
trouble
getting inside the wires. Not deer or I'd have seen the tracks.
Might be
cottontails, but they hang around in the iris beds year round and
don't
damage them. Also the dogs live and dream about chasing them. The
damage
is way to widespread for them to have overlooked rabbits for that
long.
Whole areas of the iris look like they've had a weedeater taken to
them -
and a ragged job of it at that. Every day there is more damage.
Can't win.
Beds that were filled up with oak leaves promptly get eaten
when they are
cleared. This was a seedling from last year. That group
hasn't had any
breaks at all from the time they were planted. Probably
will have to wait
another year to see much bloom from them.
Donald
Eaves
d*@eastland.net
Texas Zone 7b,
USA
