Re: cult:Cutting Fans / Survivability/Yellow leaves

Jeff and Carolyn Walters wrote:
> 
> Hi Rima!
> 
> You write (11 Aug 97):
> 
> > 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.
> 
> That sounds about right. It is what I always do when I dig, divide, and
> replant iris. I believe the purpose has been described on this list as
> being to maintain the water balance of the division - fewer roots to absorb
> water balanced by less foliage to transpire it.
> >
> > 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 hate worm
> > eating things.
> 
> It is quite normal for the outer leaves on iris fans turn yellow and then
> wither during the growing season as they mature and die and are replaced by
> new leaves from the center of the fan.
> 
> The spots are probably caused by leaf spot, a disfiguring but not fatal
> fungal infection. It is said that this can be controlled by removing the
> infected foliage and toally getting rid of it (like by hauling it to the
> town dump, if it is not right next door), but I have not had much success
> with this approach. I have obtained better results by spraying with a
> fungicide, such as Daconil.
> 
> Jeff Walters in northern Utah  (USDA Zone 4, Sunset Zone 2)
> cwalters@cache.net

Hi Jeff--

One needs a garden pharmaceutical conucopia to keep up with all this
stuff, but I will look for it at my friendly plant emporium.
Rima  terra@catskill.net
upstate ny zone 4    and thanks for the advice.
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