Re: cult:Cutting Fans /Yellow leaves

rimat wrote:
> 
> Hi--
> 
> I thought that when you dig and divide and replant, the fans should be
> cut to give the roots a better shot at growth before a freeze.  that's
> what I've been doing.  Please tell me quickly to stop before I do
> anything wrong.  the iris I have received in the mail all have cut fans.

Well as usual, I was not specific enough.

When Margaret asked about trimming back the fans, I assumed she was
referring to the practice of cutting back the fans of an iris *in place
in the garden* not one that had been dug up, divided and replanted.

There will probably be a lot more controversy about the practice of
trimming back the fan of an iris that has just been divided than wacking
back fans of irises left in place.

As I understand it, the practice of trimming the roots and fan of a
newly divided iris is basically to make them easier for the large
suppliers to handle and ship. I don't believe that "cutting back the fan
to give the roots more energy" has any validity. In fact, I think the
opposite (or maybe it is the converse) is true - that leaving as much of
the fan intact as possible is better for the plant because there is more
surface area for photosynthesis and thus more energy for the plant. 

I know a lot of people are going to leap all over me for such heresy,
but until some good scientific knowledge comes along, I am going to
continue to keep as much fan as possible when I divide and transplant.
Yeah, I know, the nurserymen tell you to trim back the foliage on a
shrub, bush or tree when you transplant, but I am not convinced that the
same applies to all plants. IMO

I will admit that if there is not enough root structure on a divided
iris to hold the plant in place while new roots grow, I trim the fan,
but this has nothing to do with "energy to the roots."

Hopefully someone more knowledgeable than I will jump all over this and
let us know.


> Question---many of the leaves on my existing irises that bloomed
> beautifully this year are turning yellow and brown and some have spots.
> Is this a disease or is it normal.  should I cut these leaves out?  Is
> this the dreaded borer?  Please please tell me it isn't.

I don't get borer but judging from all the email that has flown past on
the subject, browing leaves is probably not a borer indicator. Check the
archives for mail on borers - there has been lots. The spots *may* be
leafspot (a fungus). In any case, pull off or cut off the bad portion of
the leaf and dispose of it, getting it completely out of your garden.

Good Irising
John                     | "There be dragons here"
                         |  Annotation used by ancient cartographers
                         |  to indicate the edge of the known world.

John Jones, jijones@ix.netcom.com
Fremont CA, USDA zone 8/9 (coastal, bay) 
Max high 95F/35C, Min Low 28F/-2C average 10 days each
Heavy clay base for my raised beds.
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