commercial production, rot etc



One of the problems with growing just about anything commercially is that one
has to have large amounts of whatever it is for it to be profitable, and
large monocultures are always more prone to epidemics of all kinds of pests
and diseases.  Part of the reason for this is that in a large population,
some individual plants will always have less than ideal growing conditions,
therefore be more susceptible to disease or pests, and build up a big source
of infection/infestation for the others.  Then the abundance of host plants
everywhere around makes it possible for an epidemic.  Another aspect is that
there won't be the diversity of host plants or habitats for predators.

I am not saying that diseases don't happen in small gardens (don't we wish!),
just that in large monocultures, the entire crop can be lost unless pests and
diseases are controlled.  and if your livelihood depends on the crop, you are
likely to use preventative measures.  

now I have forgotten why I got on this thread....maybe some idea that mass
produced iris may not be all that disease/pest resistant.

linda mann lmann76543@aol.com
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