Re: Denver Order Arrives!!... and Phyto question

From: "Chris Hollinshead" <cris@netcom.ca>

Chris writes:
Sandy, I have had the same sort of package delivery situation as yourself,
although it did not take quite as long to eventually get here. (This was a
video sent by John I. Jones to me)
It seems that packages must be taken to a US post office and mailed by
handing over to a clerk to avoid this return scenario. I am not sure if this
is just for packages going out of the US or applies to all packages. Perhaps
someone on the list in the US could clarify with the post office. It is a
security issue.

About the aphids, I too have received iris rhizomes (from the NW USA) with
LOTS of aphids on them. Not a big problem, in my estimation. You have done
the right thing by soaking them in a bleach solution (indeed I advocate
doing this as a precautionary measure to all new iris as they are received).
I seriously doubt that the aphids were introduced en route, they are almost
surely from the point of origin of the rhizomes. In any case after your
treatment they should be just fine and grow into enjoyable plants. All of my
like infested rhizomes did so with no evidence of any disease. Your extra
cold Ottawa winters should help reduce potential rhizome hitchhiker problems
too!!!
Happy iris digging.  Chris.

Christopher Hollinshead
Mississauga, Ontario  Canada  zone6b
AIS(Region 16), CIS, SSI
Director-Canadian Iris Society
Newsletter Editor-Canadian Iris Society
e-mail:  cris@netcom.ca <c*@netcom.ca>
CIS website:  http://www.netcom.ca/~cris/CIS.html

Sandy Ives wrote:
> The parcel was examined by the U.S. postal service and rejected for air
> transportation because it was not presented to a retail clerk at a post
> office and weighed over 16 ounces.  So, even though it was flagged for
> air transportation, it was returned, via surface, to a mail recovery
> centre in San Francisco.  The reason behind the rejection?  Heightened
> airline security.  Given recent events, I have no problem with the
> rejection.
>
> What did tick me off was the box was opened at one point in time or
> another and aphids were introduced into the package.  I cleaned and
> soaked all rhizomes with bleach and soap.  However, I am worried about
> virus transmission due to differing aphid species and not knowing where
> the aphids were introduced.  My immediate remedy would include
> destroying the packing material as well as burning the loose debris.  I
> am immediately tempted to burn the infested rhizomes as well.
>
> I will be potting the remaining rhizomes tomorrow.  Thanks to all in
> Denver for going to these great lengths to allow us to share in the
> convention.
>
> Any thoughts on the others?  Their lives are in YOUR hands.


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