Re: Maxi-Crop (seaweed)
- To: i*@rt66.com
- Subject: Re: Maxi-Crop (seaweed)
- From: C*@aol.com
- Date: Mon, 5 Aug 1996 17:51:16 -0400
In a message dated 96-08-03 18:11:09 EDT, you write:
>Yes, anyone, please elaborate once more. What's the deal with putting
>seaweed or kelp extracts on Japanese Irises? If it is harmful and why?
Donald, Kathy and others who have discussed this issue. I do not know what
it is about seaweed, kelp and fish emulsions that Japanese irises respond
negatively to. I have assumed that it might be alkalinity from comments made
by Currier McEwen about seaweed. I do know that before anyone told me not to
use these things, I once tried fish emulsion quite a few years ago with bad
effect. I lost the Japanese irises I used it on. Based on this experience
and Currier's caution re seaweed, I have since avoided all of these products
when in comes to Japanese irises.
Japanese irises cannot tolerate any alkaline condition at all. If planted
near a cement pond or sidewalk or near a cement foundation of a house, the
leaching will kill the Japanese iris very quickly. I had a friend who mixed
Compro (the sewage sludge product you can buy by the ton) in his iris beds.
The TBs loved it, but the JI's all died. If you pot Japanese irises in
potting soil you buy by the bag in the store, they will likely not live...
BUT you can plant them in hard red clay here that won't grow other things,
and they thrive. Clarence Mahan in VA
