Re: Re: CULT: fertilizer
- To: i*@egroups.com
- Subject: Re: [iris-talk] Re: CULT: fertilizer
- From: h*@aol.com
- Date: Wed, 5 Apr 2000 10:33:42 EDT
In a message dated 4/5/00 7:03:11 AM Eastern Daylight Time,
lmann@mailhub.icx.net writes:
<< What John and Anner and Hager say is probably a good rule of thumb for
more typical clay soils of the humid, rainy southeast, but not for sandy
ones. >>
I think that it is unquestionably true that through trial and error one
learns the best fertilizer program to use on irises in one's own location.
I'm a big fan of soil tests in advance of any fertilizer myself. In the
absence of results of a good one, I'd still stick with Hager's advice, which
was published by AIS to be broadly relevant.
I've never heard anyone here in the Mid Atlantic recommend using a high
nitrogen fertilizer on any bearded iris. The recommended formulae are 5-10-5
and 5-10-10, used sparingly. In fact, I've never heard it suggested that one
use a high nitrogen fertilizer on any ornamental flowering plants, with the
exception of some hybrid roses. Aside from promoting foliage over bloom and
disease pone soft growth, your weeds will love you for the additional
nitrogen.
One last observation: I grow bearded irises at my mother's shack on the beach
by the Chesapeake Bay. The 'soil' is a mixture of straight salty sand, and
maybe ten per cent decomposed seaweed and pine tags. They get no fertilizer
at all, and they flourish.
Anner Whitehead
HIPSource@aol.com
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