Re: cult:Cutting Fans

Bill Shear wrote:
> 
>  I would also
> >think then that the practice of some folks of "drying out those fat
> >California rhizomes" also falls under the category of "total nonsense"
> >and would just serve to dehydrate the plant more, and that the amount of
> >water in an rz is not an indicator of propensity to rot (the attributed
> >reason for this practice)
> 
> There actually may be something to this, at least for some irises, and
> those hybridized in California and very successful there, are good
> candidates.  Many of the Mediterranean species in the background (far, far
> background) of our modern TB hybrids go through a distinct dormant period
> during the hot summers.  They may not loose their foliage, but they do stop
> growing.  It could be that allowing rhizomes of these varieties to dry
> thoroughly (and I suspect this happens to a sufficient degree at the
> nursery after they are dug) could enhance blooming and even encourage them
> to become established.  If true, and it's just a theory, it wouldn't work
> for all, especially varieties adapted to wet summers which continue to
> grow.  The latter category might include most rebloomers(?).

Thanks Bill,

In a case like this, does the photosynthesis stop or just slow? In
either case I would expect the plant to use(lose) less water. I wonder
if the use of water would shrink with the lowered intake of water
(assumed with hot summers, but then there is summer rainfall - I don't
know the Mediterranean summers).

I have noticed that a lot of my iris seem less green during the summer
and was wondering if the increased amount of sunlight available caused
the plant to lower the amount of chlorophyl it maintains in its fans?

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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