Re: CULT: borer hatch
- Subject: Re: [iris-talk] CULT: borer hatch
- From: G* &* L*
- Date: Tue, 29 Feb 2000 10:20:08 -0600
From: GWhite & LRader <bentfork@alltel.net>
Hi Carolyn,
I wish that it were not so, but iris borers do occur in other parts of the USA. Over the years, I have seen various notes that they only occur east of the Mississippi
River, or east of the Missouri River. But, unfortunately, I can absolutely verify that iris borers do occur west of the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers, because here in
eastern Nebraska, some iris growers had fairly heavy infestations last year. In the few years previously, we had only very light infestations here in Lincoln, but last year
was particularly bad - possibly because of our mild winter last year. This winter has also been very mild, though very very dry, so we must be very vigilant this year.
As to limiting the borer to the eastern half of the USA, I believe that it is primarily due to climate changes as you go west. In the plains states, the climate becomes
decidedly more arid as you travel west of a variable line from the Dakotas, central Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma & Texas. I would venture that it is this dry barrier that the
borer has not crossed to the west coast, rather than any much smaller geographical feature such as the Missouri River. It would be interesting to find the absolute farthest
west that the borer has been found. I personally don't know of anyone farther west than the eastern 1/3rd of Nebraska that has experienced iris borer infestations. Please
chime in if you know of more western locations for the borer.
Yesterday, here in Lincoln, we had an afternoon temperature of 74F. Mid-March, though, is when we usually begin clearing off our iris beds and start thinking about borer
control for the coming bloom season. About that time is when we usually have 2 or 3 consecutive days with temps in the 70s. If you spray, then the first spray here is done in
the last half of March or early April. A number of growers, outside of city limits, have traditionally burned off their iris beds about mid to late March, and in doing so,
have drastically reduced iris borer infestations. This year, though, has been terribly dry and mild, so I don't know what effect that will have on borers - positive or
negative - and will it be too dry for burning off the old iris foliage.
Gary White
Lincoln, Nebraska USA USDA zone 4/5
Carolyn Schaffner wrote:
>
> ----> If the creatures referred to are iris borers, does anyone have
> more information on the temperature theory?
>
> Here in Buffalo, (New York State, Northeast USA, shore of Lake Erie
> (lake temp.32F) zone 5b/6a), we had a warming spell last week in which
> the temps climbed rather slowly from the 30'sF to at least 72F for two
> days. Nights were 50'sF. We are now at -32F, with snow flurries
> yesterday.
>
> The location is important because it seems the borer are not found in
> other areas of the USA.
>
> Did we get enuf warmth to bring the buggers out? And if so, will this
> cold weather knock them off?
------------------------------------------------------------------------
WANT FREE MAGAZINES?
Sample over 500 magazines in 30 categories-- all for FREE at
FreeShop.com, your source for thousands of free and trial offers!
http://click.egroups.com/1/1610/0/_/486170/_/951841182/
------------------------------------------------------------------------
