Re: CULT
- To: Multiple recipients of list <i*@rt66.com>
- Subject: Re: CULT
- From: J* M* <m*@junction.net>
- Date: Tue, 28 Apr 1998 14:20:04 -0600 (MDT)
Arnold Koekkoek wrote:
> anyone had occasion to use clover hay or made a tea from it or
> chopped clover on the iris beds?
>
I seem to recall (it bugs me how often I am required to use that phrase)
reading that the 'magic bullet' was an enzyme which is specific to
alfalfa.
Not too far off the topic is something which I have long observed in
lilies. Some of these in unattended corners have become ' naturalized'
(my code word for being overrun by weeds and grass) and these are the
healthiest looking lilies on the place. They will be shorter and perhaps
have somewhat smaller flowers but survive indefinitely without
fertilizer, water or fussing. Undoubtedly, some of this is owing to the
fact that the bulbs are keep cooler, which lilies like but it seems to me
that simply applying a heavy mulch does not have the same effect.
I did have some experience with clovers among iris a few years ago in a
rented field which had a fairly large patch of clover which came up from
seed. It was a real pain trying to get rid of it and eventually we threw
in the towel and let it grow. It proved to be easy maintenance from then
on but digging was more complicated. My observation was that those iris
plants were not affected one way or the other. On the other hand they
were all growing in soil which had been growing clovers and pasture grass
for many years.
I am not sure that I would want clover planted among the iris rhizomes,
but, monoculture is something that is generally not found in nature.
Bearded iris present a challenge because of their requirement for sun
exposure. The topic of campanion plants was covered quite extensively
earlier this year. One plant that I think I will try is that pink
flowered strawberry (Pink Panda?). It has a tremendous lust for life but
is very low and not too hard to control. Additionally, it has berries
which I admit are not great but in September are better than nothing
while weeding.
John Montgomery
monashee@junction.net
Vernon BC Zone 5
