RE: Iris Myths
iris@hort.net
  • Subject: RE: Iris Myths
  • From: C* C* <i*@aim.com>
  • Date: Tue, 01 Feb 2011 17:20:06 -0500
 In regards to the myth of iris needing sun on back of rhizomes toB  "ripen"
rhizomes for flowering.

I just got in a few new for me iris books. I have ncluded quotes from several
of them, as follows. They all recomended planting iris with back of rhizomes
exposed.



 1)b...as their rhizomes sun-baking if they are to ripen, and flower well,
they should not be planted too deeply....

...leaving of the top of the rhizome uncovered ensures that it will receive,
and benefit from, the sun's rays.
...
Iris should always be planted with their rhizomes planted to the south so that
their leaves do not shield them from the sun.b
'Irises' Judith M Berrisford 1961

2) b..shade however must not be dense , as this will lead to smaller and
smaller yield of bloom, since the rhizomes, having been deprived of the
beneficial sunshine, will not be properly ripened.b
'The Iris'B  N. Leslie Cave,
B B B  B B B  B B B  B B B 
3)b...plant the rhizome so that the cut end of the rhizome points to the
south and the fan to the north,... The fan of the leaves would shade the
rhizome from the sun if planted the other way around, and it is important that
the sun bripensb the rhizome in summer.b
'The Gardenerbs Guide to Growing Irises' Geoff Stebbings 1997

In addition I'm often asked this question when giving talks on iris to Hort
clubs.

Chuck Chapman

---------------------------------------------------------------------
To sign-off this list, send email to majordomo@hort.net with the
message text UNSUBSCRIBE IRIS
Other Mailing lists | Author Index | Date Index | Subject Index | Thread Index