Re: JI: What is that packing stuff?
- To: Multiple recipients of list <i*@rt66.com>
- Subject: Re: JI: What is that packing stuff?
- From: z*@chcs.com
- Date: Tue, 26 Aug 1997 18:51:34 -0600 (MDT)
Mary Forte <JForte21@aol.com> writes:
>Here's a probably-dumb question: What is that stuff my Japanese iris is
>packed in? I just received my order from Aitken's (very, very nice, thank
>you Terry and Scott). I ordered one Japanese iris, ROSE QUEEN (check out the
>photo in the Random House Perennials if you have it). This is my very first
>Japanese iris and it is packed in this stuff that looks like crumbled
>gelatin. So, what is it? What do I do with it? Can I use it in the
>planting hole? Should I put it down the drain, or will it mess up my septic
>tank?
I forwarded this question on to my mother, and she wrote me back:
"The packing material is called "Terra Sorb". It comes dry, is mixed with
water to form a gelatin like material that draws and holds moisture around
the roots. It is not harmful to plants, animals or people to our knowledge,
and shouldn't harm septic tanks! But would be most helpful just to put it
in around the roots of the irises when planted as it will draw moisture
from the soil to the root area.
"Japanese (and other beardless irises) need to have the roots kept moist
while in transit. We used to use wet paper towels wrapped around the roots,
then sealed in the plastic bags. However, if not packed carefully and any
of the paper comes above the plastic, it acts as a wick, drawing moisture
AWAY from the roots. This has happened to plants sent to us which have
arrived totally dried out and of course didn't survive. We have had a much
better survival rate in shipping beardless irises using the TERRA SORB.
Plus it is faster, certainly less messy than wet paper towels, and probably
in the end just as cost effective."
Scott Aitken
Aitken's Salmon Creek Garden
http://www.e-z.net/~aitken
608 NW 119th St
Vancouver, WA 98685
Phn: (360) 573-4472, Fax: (360) 576-7012, email: aitken@e-z.net
