RE. ROT

Dear Friends,
A couple of you are now suffering the joys of what is referred to in Australia as Crown Rot.  It causes yellowing of the base of the crown fan and into the rhizome.  It may be quite mushy (depending on the severity of the infection) and might also smell of mustard.It occurs in bearded iris that are grown in humid, warm conditions or which suffer an unusual burst of such weather.
 
Being a fungal disease, remember that the fungal spores can easily spread.  It is best to put on some disposable gloves, lift the rhizomes, cut away the infected area and spray (or spinkle a powder) of a suitable fungicide, throw away the disposable gloves and then finally replant.  The bearded rhizomes are pretty resilient and will recover with small shoots, but of course you have lost the main growth from the crown.
 
It is best to spray all nearby iris and plants, the soil and any mulching material to stop the fungus dead in its tracks.  Realise that this condition can recur in a recurrence of warm, humid weather (and of course this comes from heat and watering in most gardens in a temperate climate).
 
Hope this helps,
Bernard Pryor
irishaven@pip.com.au
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