Re: CULT: COLD HARDY "REDS"/ FREEZE - THAW

I don't really have an answer for you; but I would also be interested 
in finding out if mulching would be helpful during that early spring 
freeze-thaw period. Its like, when there are a few warmer days, the 
new shoots begin to grow, but if it freezes, they die, and the iris 
suffers Those iris that are 'early' sprouters, suffer the most. Those 
that are slow starters (usually later bloomers) fare the best.
Last year, I put pine boughs over half the iris, in an attempt to 
provide mulch without much chance of rot, after the winter freeze set 
in. I honestly cannot say if it did much good; actually, I think I 
removed too early and the iris got a few good freezes after removal.
I guess the trick to mulch is to make sure there is enough air 
circulation over the rhizomes to prevent water from standing on them.
Leaves seem to be the worst mulch, as they hold alot of moisture. 
Wood chips also hold moisture. Its possible perhaps to just put the 
chips around and not on the rhizome? Well I guess this year, I will 
experiment some more.
Laetitia


--- In iris-talk@y..., birdwoman424@a... wrote:
> In a message dated 8/20/2002 9:04:55 PM Eastern Daylight Time, 
> jcwalters@b... writes:
> 
> 
> > . Low temperatures damage irises when they
> > are actively growing (late fall, early spring) or when there are
> > alternating periods of freezing and thawing during the winter. 
This means
> > that irises are probably at greater risk of cold damage in many 
areas that
> > are rated Zone 5, 6 and 7 than they are in Zone 4, or even much 
of Zone 3.
> > 
> 
> Yup, that's me zone 7 - alternating periods of freezing and 
thawing. I 
> usually don't purchase my annuals until Mother's Day weekend 
because of these 
> erratic weather patterns. This past spring, fortunately, I was 
behind in 
> schedule. Mother's Day weekend was mild, however, the following 
weekend we 
> had a late freeze.
> My one and only iris was mulched over with about 2 inches of cedar. 
It 
> bloomed profusely, had lots of increases and was a site to behold. 
Now, that 
> I have acquired and planted many new irises, I am considering 
mulching them 
> over with double shredded hard wood. I believe this may help to 
protect them. 
> Then I plan to remove the mulch in the later part of May after the 
danger of 
> frost has past. I can't think of any other way to deal with this 
freeze/thaw 
> problem. I am open to all ideas.
> Margie Brown, New York   Zone 7
> 
> 
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]


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