CULT: Watering new transplants

Hello All,

I posted a theory in response to a question on the Iris Forum today 
without putting much thought into it, but since posting it I've been 
wondering if it might not actually make sense.  The question was in 
regard to new transplants that were being reluctant to grow roots in 
spite of being watered twice a day. I speculated that perhaps the reason 
for slow root growth was that the plants have no particular need to grow 
roots as long as they can access all necessary water right at the soil 
surface with the twice daily waterings, and that if the gardener quit 
watering, the plants might be triggered into root growth in search of a 
deeper water source.  

I have planted several hundred irises in the last few weeks and have not 
watered them at all.  We have had a couple of light rains since planting 
the irises, but our spring-summer as a whole has been extremely dry, and 
the soil and plant growth show it.  In spite of minimal soil moisture, my 
new transplants are eagerly growing new roots.

So, can excessive watering actually inhibit root growth?  What say you 
experienced growers?

Laurie


-----------------
laurief@paulbunyan.net
http://www.geocities.com/lfandjg/
zone 3b northern MN - clay soil


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