CULT : huge vs. small rhizomes

Yes, I would agree Iris rhizome size should be dependent on water availablitiy
during the peak growth period of Spring.  Even more so for those that go
dormant during the Summer.  Fall growth only seems to lengthen the rhizome,
not increase its overall mass, girth or size.  Some climates have a longer
growing season that other.  Some seem to go directly from spring into summer
heat with very little transition.  And the other extreme would be places that
have a very long spring due their very short or non-existant "Winter".  Water
avaialbilty and temperature dictate the seasons for Iris (and many other
plants as well).

However if the proper nutients are not available, asuming the plant is heathy
to start with, growth will be retarded and limit leaf development and rhizome
size.  More leaves means more water use, more nutrient uptake, more
photosynthesis and more carbohydrate storage deposited in the rhizome.  Also
nutrient availabilty (particularly phosphorous) would have an effect on root
development.  Insufficient root development would also mean that the plant
would be restricted on water and nutrient uptake.

So yes, water is important, but if there aren't enough leaves, whether from
general genetic capabilty or from growing conditions (light, disease, ect.)
abundant water availalbilty won't help much.





Original message:--------

I got this question offlist - will let the rest of you mull it over ..

My first thought is water....

<Can you give an opinion on why the Rhizomes from
some sale gardens are huge and others are not?
Scheiner's verses Mountain View?>

--
Linda Mann east Tennessee USA zone 7/8

---------------------------------------------------------------------
To sign-off this list, send email to majordomo@hort.net with the
message text UNSUBSCRIBE IRIS
Other Mailing lists | Author Index | Date Index | Subject Index | Thread Index