Re: 10% bleach

I also have seen the Comet treatment to iris in beds that have other plants
to compete with iris.  My iris are isolated from other plants and are planted
very shallowly.  The only rot I get is in low lying areas (which are going to
be planted with Japs and Sibs this year) or on rhyzomes planted too deeply.
If I get any rot at all, I dig it up, cut the rot out, let it dry on a rock
nearby (label firmly attached) and put it back in the soil after a few days.
OR I might -- depending on the weather forcast of a long(?) dry spell --
put it in the soil with the cut exposed so it will dry out.  I have no rot 
(so far) this year.  I also make real certain that my plants aren't mulched,
don't get overhung by companion plants, after blooming get no watering
except for rain, and keep the fertilizing to the early weeks before a show
and later for that fall growth which makes sspring bloom.  This later
fertilization is VERY CAREFUL and if I miss it, I don't bother.  Iris
are native to the Middle East and don't like fertilizer, would do well to
duplicate the native conditions and if I don't want to do any exhibiting,
I might not fertilize at all.  It seems to me that rot is caused by 
1. dampness, 2. over fertilizing, 3. too little sun.  Cure those problems
and get a headstart on rot.
PS, that's too little sun on the rhyzome itself.. as well as on the foliage.
Carolyn Schaffner, in dark, dreary  Buffalo, NY
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