Re: RE: Iris Myths
iris@hort.net
  • Subject: Re: RE: Iris Myths
  • From: R* P* <r*@embarqmail.com>
  • Date: Wed, 2 Feb 2011 09:31:46 -0500 (EST)
I believe the leaf orientation has more to do with up and down then North,South,East, or West. In the Mediterranean climate that some of the seminal tall-bearded species evolved it could get very hot when the sun is high in the sky. A leaf shape oriented upward like the Iris allows less light hitting at midday and picks up more earlier and later. Probably preventing overheating of a plant that grows in an environment where water is less availably in quantity for cooling is most important. 
The Rhizome being exposed is probably the same issue only backwards. Louisiana Irises do poorly in parts of England because it never gets as hot in the summer to ensure proper hardening prior to winter. They are considered somewhat tender and can die in winter. Yet Louisianas can survive in North Americam well into Canada because here we have, at least, some hot weather in summer. I would bet the British authors suggest the rhizome being exposed because the sun there would be more effective at warming the Rhizome but that would not be necessary in most of North American and even ill-advised in the extreme heat areas.
 
----- Original Message -----
From: "Betty Wilkerson" <autmirislvr@aol.com>
To: iris@hort.net
Sent: Tuesday, February 1, 2011 9:51:24 PM
Subject: Re: [iris] RE: Iris Myths

Some times I've tried to plant with the toe pointing south, but this only
works with the beds that lie east to west.  I don't remember being advised to
do so, but my reasoning has been that they would not be as likely to retain
moisture this way.  Lots of dew here.  This is more important with new
purchases & transplants that might have new cuts and injuries.

WWMND?  What would mother nature do?  It would seem that examination of an
established clump of two years or so might answer most of these questions!  Do
the rhizomes all line up this way when they appear as new growth?  Not in my
garden.

Betty Wilkerson








-----Original Message-----
From: Chuck Chapman <irischapman@aim.com>
To: iris <iris@hort.net>
Sent: Tue, Feb 1, 2011 4:26 pm
Subject: [iris] RE: Iris Myths


 In regards to the myth of iris needing sun on back of rhizomes toB  "ripen"
hizomes for flowering.
I just got in a few new for me iris books. I have ncluded quotes from several
f them, as follows. They all recomended planting iris with back of rhizomes
xposed.

 1)b...as their rhizomes sun-baking if they are to ripen, and flower well,
hey should not be planted too deeply....
...leaving of the top of the rhizome uncovered ensures that it will receive,
nd benefit from, the sun's rays.
..
ris should always be planted with their rhizomes planted to the south so that
heir 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
maller yield of bloom, since the rhizomes, having been deprived of the
eneficial 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...plant the rhizome so that the cut end of the rhizome points to the
outh and the fan to the north,... The fan of the leaves would shade the
hizome from the sun if planted the other way around, and it is important that
he 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
lubs.
Chuck Chapman
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