CULT: more on rhizome size, watering and leaves
- Subject: CULT: more on rhizome size, watering and leaves
- From: C* S*
- Date: Thu, 1 Aug 2002 09:07:14 -0700
As someone mentioned already the leaves actually transpire moisture,
the rate being affected by air temperature and humidity. When the rate of
transpiration exceeds the rate of water uptake and supply from the roots
then a plant wilts. Under these conditions growth is stopped and stored food
is depleted.
I have noticed that Iris dug from dry soil generally have thicker
roots than those dug from wet soil. Perhaps the roots themselves are storing
water under lean conditions.
The Iris growing season is determined by sun exposure, air
temperature during the day, temps at night and soil temperature. Soil
nutrients are most available when soil temps are above 50-60 degrees (I
think). Most plants require a rest period at night, so cooler night temps
are a plus. Day or Night temps which are too high actually weaken the plant
as it has to use more energy to stay alive, this energy would come from
stored food - the rhizome. SO here on the West Coast we enjoy moderate temps
in summer (only occasionally 90 -100), cooler temps at night due to the
ocean influence and mild winters - also due to the ocean effect. The days of
active Iris growth are respectively more than other regions of the US. This
is reflected in the longer rebloom period in fall, here it runs from
September to November. I have some bloom in all months but the weather makes
a mess of stalks in December and January.
Sun exposure: I have Iris in terraces in back of my house - they are
shaded by the house till about 11 AM and then get full sun (so more than 5
hours). All things being equal these Iris never reach the size of the ones
out front. They grow and bloom all the same - just smaller stalks and
smaller rhizomes. This effect I think is similar to living at a high
latitude where the sun is coming at steeper angle, making the overall
exposure less than at a lower latitude.
Chad Schroter
Coastal California Zone 9
------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor ---------------------~-->
Access Your PC from Anywhere - Free Trial
http://us.click.yahoo.com/o5uw2C/0ncEAA/Ey.GAA/2gGylB/TM
---------------------------------------------------------------------~->
Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
