Re: cult:Cutting Fans / Survivability/Yellow leaves


>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.
>Rima  terra@catskill.net
>upstate ny  zone 4

This is probably just normal dieback, perhaps also some fungal leaf spot.
Wait until the leaves have completely shrivelled and pull them free from
the rhizome.  Never compost old iris leaves, always burn them.  If the
browning gets too unsightly, then you might as well cut the leaves, but be
sure that you pull off the stubs when they are entirely dry.

If you have fungal or bacterial leaf spot, you can spread it by cutting
leaves.  The cuts are avenues of infection and the spores and bacteria
adhere to the cutting tool.


Bill Shear
Department of Biology
Hampden-Sydney College
Hampden-Sydney VA 23943
(804)223-6172
FAX (804)223-6374
email<bills@tiger.hsc.edu>
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