Re: Replanting Bearded Iris

John Jones asks...

>Will winter time rains and every other year rejuvenating with compost be
>>sufficient to counter the problem?? I doubt that solarization would get
>down 12".

First -- it's not a huge problem, but...

You WILL be acutely aware of your diminished iris growing capability (five
to seven years down line) when you give a newcomer rhizomes then visit
their garden the following year. You will look at their irises, from your
garden, and go; "Wow, MINE don't grow like that!" When that day arrives,
you are afflicted with the "Same Soil Blues."

Fixes. (Some are EXTREMELY anti-green!)

Optimum is to lift, divide and replant iris every two years -- no more than
every three years. At that time:

1. (Best) Move to ground that has not raised iris for several years but has
raised another crop, has been kept in good tilth and had humus returned to
soil or brought in from outside resources.

2. (Almost as effective) Lift iris. Use a soil sterilant on iris bed
(chemical or organic). Amend sterilized soil with heavy doses of compost
(restores soil flora and fauna) and other organic addenda. Replant.

3. (Good) At division time, replace one-third to one half of beds' soil
with fresh soil. Rejuvenate removed soil by growing a cover crop that is
turned under, or heavily treat with 'green manures' compost, alfalfa
pellets, leaf mould, Compro, etc.

4. (These are a medley of 'fixes' that work to an extent but are not full
solutions.) Continue to grow iris in existing location, however:
        a. Work in LARGE amounts of oak leaves over winter. (method used by
        Dave Hall, Doc Kleinsorge and many others.)
        b. If iris are planted in rows move to the center of row after 2 years
        and then back after a further 2 years.
        c. Work in alfalfa pellets and compost.
        d. Work in Compro or an equivalent. (test for heavy metal
contamination
        if this is used extensively.)
        e. Rotate between bearded and beardless irises.
        f. Rotate between hemerocallis and iris (be careful not to be seduced
        by the hems ease of growth and [relatively!] carefree culture.)

Over many years, I have tried all, a thru f except d. All worked (somewhat)
until, too many times, I saw MY iris castoffs growing in a novice's VIRGIN
soil. I then gnashed my teeth, kicked the dog and went back to number one,
above.


Best regards,

Mike Lowe, mikelowe@tricities.net   Virginia, USA
Other Mailing lists | Author Index | Date Index | Subject Index | Thread Index