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~ part of an original message
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Always before, when an iris didn't do well for
me, I was assuming there was something wrong with *me.*
~
Neil (or anyone),
I'm glad you said that!!! For years I've
always thought that too. :-) Until .......... by replacing
certain varieties 2 or more times - - I realized that no matter where I
planted them, or how good of a bed they were in - - they behaved in the
same manner.
Of course, somewhat related to this idea, I've
found that there were some rhizomes that were sent to me
that I (now looking back) presume were unhealthy plants to begin
with. Too weak to go on. So when I reordered to replace a couple of
those iris from a better source - - I found those to be
healthier. Since they had a healthy start - - they then continued to grow
well and do well for me. (Or - - after I've had the sickly
ones struggle for a number of years - they are nursed back to health and
then they perform as they should.)
Correct me if I'm on the wrong track, but do you
think it's possible that some iris (like animals or people), which are
not getting the proper nutrition or care - - can grow to
be considered in "poor health" or "run-down", and therefore their increases
when sent out will have a hard time growing/performing - due to induced
poor health? (Even though they have the genetic make-up to do well, but
have become too weak to do so) I'm not talking acclimation
here.
Margie V.
Oro Valley, AZ.
Zone 8/9
I*@comcast.net
----- Original Message -----
From:
n*@charter.net
To: i*@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Thursday, March 04, 2004 4:45
AM
Subject: [iris-photos] CULT:
non-performers
I'm sure glad people speak up and say "it just
melts away" or "I've had it three years and one...[less than decent]
stalk..."
I know these aren't quotes--but I'm really glad
to see remarks like these, especially from folks who are good,
knowledgable growers and caretakers. Always before, when an iris
didn't do well for me, I was assuming there was something wrong with
*me.* It never occured to me that maybe the variety itself was
mal-adapted to my climate, or didn't have the innerds and muscles to compete
with aphids and moles, let alone excess rain or none at all, or whatever else
it ran into. Or just melted away for no reason at all. This is
year three for DYNAMITE, and in that time I've had one stalk that tried to
bloom but froze, and one increase. That one went to middle TN to see if
Abby could grow it better. Mine just sits there. One fan. No
bloom. No increase.
Some old diploids, Blue Rhythm and Wabash
seem to thrive everywhere. Why many others aren't like them says
something about the way we go about selecting things to name and introduce,
let alone to what we vote top awards. We all agree these need to
change. They don't.
I've been hearing this same complaint for
over fifty years. There've been miffy
performers ever since I first remember. Then there were some that
grew like pigweed everywhere I've been. I
think I can safely assume it wasn't *my* growing, it was the iris, AM or DM or
not.
About half my new seedlings last year died during
the deluge from just plain rotting off at ground level. Linda Mann tells
me the weather did me a favor--it weeded out the weak ones before I saw them
bloom. I sure hope she's right. The ones left are a tattered
remnant of my hope. It's a short distance to the compost pile if they
fall short now.
I think I'll make some crosses this year from
Blue Rhythm. I've been threatening to do this for several years and just
never followed through.
Fifty years from now my grandchildren are going
to be looking at FOGBOUND growing in some corner and thinking the same
thing. "This year, I'm gonna make some crosses from Foggy." But
they won't. They'll use the latest fat and sassy ones that are being
introduced at $250 each and think they're worth it. I suppose they will
be. At least if they survive to bloom.
Neil Mogensen z 7 western NC in the world's
second worst climate for TB's (Linda Mann has number one).
Boy! Did I ever get up on the wrong side of the
bed. Maybe I better go back and try it again. At least this time
I've got the coffee hot.....beautiful photos, Bill. More!
More!
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