Re: Another question

The Hiltibidals wrote:
> 
> Now I have another question - Did I not read just last week that each
> rhizome has one bloom stalk only?    How many 'seasons' does an iris
> rhizome live?  Does it produce increase more than once?  When the original
> rhizome has bloomed and produced the increase expected for its life span,
> would it be productive to snatch it as soon as the new rhizomes are able to
> survive on their own, slice or dice it and get still more increase?  Thanks
> to all who respond.

A rz will only ever put up one bloomstalk (excepting the pineappling
phenomenon).After that it puts out increases. I don't think it would normally
put out increases in subsequent years. However, the slice and dice process
might trick it into trying.

You have to remember though, that even when the new increases are showing
growth and have their own root systems, they are still getting some energy
from the mother. So whether the net increase for the following year would be
greater by cutting out the mother and dicing it up is a question. Also by
detaching the mother, you are cutting bach its root system as well and it will
take some energy to re-establish that before the pieses can start to put out increases.

I hope someone can add to or correct anything here.

John                     | "There be dragons here"
                         |  Annotation used by ancient cartographers
                         |  to indicate the edge of the known world.

John Jones, jijones@ix.netcom.com
Fremont, California, USA, Earth, USDA zone 8/9 (coastal, bay) 
Max high 95F/35C, Min Low 28F/-2C average 10 days each
Heavy clay base for my raised beds.
There are currently 83 Iris pictures on my Website. Visit me at:
http://members.home.net/jijones
Other Mailing lists | Author Index | Date Index | Subject Index | Thread Index