OT-BIO

Linda,

Welcome to Iris-talk!

Your project involving an iris"farm" is a wonderful thing to enjoy thinking
about.  "Been there, done that," and remember some very hard work, a lot of
difficult moments when hail would hit during bloom, neighbors' dogs couldn't
understand boundaries, rodents (pocket gophers) would find the space most
welcoming and problems getting the irrigation water to the rows.

Then, too, those wonderful moments when some iris would open and astonish me,
being far more beautiful than I had expected.  I've had many favorites over
the years and am still discovering new ones.

Your question about replanting a plot from which iris have just been dug--if
you can possibly do so, give the ground a year to "rest."  Irises are hard
users of nutrients and soil resources.  Also, there seem to be some toxic
residue from iris growth that needs to leach away before newly planted iris
will thrive.  If you *must* replant in the same ground, stir it well, let the
sun hit it, stir again, let more sun and air do their work.  Then load on the
goodies--compost, gypsum, whatever else is needed in your area and in your
soil type.  The other growers near you can advise you on what components seem
especially helpful for them.

As to raised beds and drainage, this is especially important in heavy soils
that have too much rain during even part of the year.  If you don't have to
raise the bed, don't.  Just have a "rill" and a row--that's raised enough if
you have good drainage.  Just don't let the bearded irises sit in a soggy
condition for very long.

There used to be powedered fungicides that were good to use as a pre-plant
soak.  I don't know of any such now.  The sun and air I mentioned above, plus
a thorough cleaning of your replant stock should be plenty of fungicidal
preparation unless you have a particular problem in your plants, such as
Verticillium, Botrytis or one of the other pesky and pernicious fungicidal
proplems.  Again, the experience of other iris growers in your area is your
best guideline.  What works for them may be just what you need.

In any event,  best of luck on your project.  I hope all goes well for you.
You didn't mention which *part* of CA you are in--that makes a whale of a lot
of difference.  CA has a very large, diverse set of climates and conditions.

Neil Mogensen  USDA zone 7 in the mountains of western North Carolina

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