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RE: Vic -- Iris virginica --

 

Patrick,

 

I don’t understand why the roots of your Louisiana irises roots do not extent more than six-inches deep in your barrels.  My tubs are approximately 23” x 16½” x 15’ deep and when I have emptied tubs, the roots appear to go all way to the bottom of the tubs. I don’t believe the lack of oxygen in the soil would limit the growth of the roots.  In flooded soil (non-flowing water), oxygen is usually depleted throughout the soil profile.  Louisiana irises have the ability to transport 02 from the atmosphere through the leaves into the roots, as long as some parts of the leaves are above the water surface. Keep the leaves completely flooded for any extended period of time and I believe the irises will die.  It is possible that you are over fertilizing and salt is building up in the containers.

 

Vic

 

 

 

From: iris-species@yahoogroups.com [mailto:iris-species@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Patrick O'Connor
Sent: Sunday, July 03, 2011 8:16 PM
To: iris-species@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [iris-species] Vic -- Iris virginica --

 

 

Vic,

 

Thanks for your response.  I think my containers may be larger than yours.  Mine are half barrels.  I am not sure how many gallons that translates to, but they are around two feet in diameter and I put about 18 inches of soil in them.    When I set them up, they did great, and the Louisiana rhizomes for some varieties multiplied so well that it was difficult to pull a rhizome out.  Last year I began to rework some of the barrels in which the plants were not doing as well as previously.  When I dug out the rhizomes I noticed that the roots did not extend down more than about six inches.  It was like a kind of dead zone down there.  My thought was that over time the oxygen below a certain point was depleted.  In shallower containers that may not happen. 

 

I have fertilied each year with Osmocote.  It seems to work well for several years, and then the growth in the barrels declines regardless of fertilizer.  In a couple of instances, I have noticed that after a year in this condition (and inadequate time to rework the barrel), good growth starts again.  This has made me wonder if I over-fertilized.  I really don't understand what occurs when there is no flow of water through soil. 

 

My efforts now are directed to reworking the barrels on a rotating basis.  I take out all the soil and start again, and the old stuff gets mixed into the compost.

 

I would appreciate any reaction based on your experience.

 

Patrick

 

 

----- Original Message -----

From: v*@msn.com

To: i*@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Friday, July 01, 2011 3:48 AM

Subject: RE: [iris-species] Vic -- Iris virginica --

 

 

Patrick,

According to my records, the I. virginica in the photo were transplanted into no-drainage tubs in April of 2006.   However, I have other I. virginica in my garden growing in no-drainage tubs for approximately twice as long.  I usually fertilize my irises once a year; occasionally twice a year, except I. tridentata which receives no fertilizer. And, I have missed fertilizing during a year.  I reside in a high-rainfall area and, I assume, that some flushing out of the tubs occurs during high -rainfall periods. We also have long dry spells, like the one we are now just leaving.  I have not observed any problems with salt buildups. The only problem I observe is that over time, very occasionally, a problem with overcrowding might develop. I also grow lots of Hymenocallis, Crinums, and other plants in no-drainage tubs.

Vic

From: iris-species@yahoogroups.com [mailto:iris-species@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Patrick O'Connor
Sent: Thursday, June 30, 2011 10:30 PM
To: iris-species@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [iris-species] Vic -- Iris virginica --

 

Vic,

Over how long a period have you grown virginicas in no-drainage tubs?  I grow Louisiana irises in half barrels with no drain holes.  I find that they do really well for several years, then decline in some cases.  I have never been certain how to fertilize in that situation and don't know the extent there is a build-up of byproducts.  Fertilizer recommendations generally assume that the soil is flushed out over time, but I really don't know what is going on in those barrels.

I would be interested to know your thoughts and those of others.

Patrick

----- Original Message -----

From: v*@msn.com

To: i*@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Thursday, June 30, 2011 7:19 PM

Subject: [iris-species] Vic -- Iris virginica -- Emailing: CIMG0692.JPG

 

Mark,

Your recent email asked if Iris virginica would grow okay in no-drainage
tubs. The attached photo taken 6/29/11 shows I. virginica growing in
no-drainage tubs in my garden. They appear happy to me.

Vic

CIMG0692.JPG:

JPEG image

JPEG image

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