Re: CULT: Bearded iris myths
iris@hort.net
  • Subject: Re: CULT: Bearded iris myths
  • From: B* W* <a*@aol.com>
  • Date: Fri, 7 Jan 2011 11:01:17 -0500 (EST)
I thought I'd heard everything through the years, but not this one.  Back in
the late eighties, a couple of rhizomes were accidentally left in a bed and
tilled in.  They bloomed the next spring and when they were dug it turned out
one was something like five inches deep.


<<My favorite myth is that the backs of the rhizomes need to be exposed, or
the
ris won't flower.>>

The iris rhizome has the ability to adjust itself with the surface of the
soil.  Those long "elephant trunks" appear when an iris is extending itself to
reach the surface.  At least this is how it works in my area.

Betty Wilkerson
Bridge In Time Iris Garden






-----Original Message-----
From: Chuck Chapman <irischapman@aim.com>
To: iris <iris@hort.net>
Sent: Thu, Jan 6, 2011 9:21 pm
Subject: Re: [iris] CULT: Bearded iris myths


 My favorite myth is that the backs of the rhizomes need to be exposed, or
the
ris won't flower.
I tested? this out for myself.? 10 plants in each of five groups.
) half of rhizome above soil
) back barely exposed
) 1/2'' of sol over top of rhizome
) 1" of soil
 2" of soil
No? differerence in bloom. They all bloomed well.? The groups that did best
in
y conditions(but just barely better)? was the 1/2" of soil.? Les increase in
" plants and half exposed groups, so less bloom, but basically same
ercemtage of? blooming rhizomes.? Slightly shorter? flower? stalk? in 2"
roup, but only slightly shorter.

Chuck Chapman



-----Original Message-----
rom: Kelly D. Norris &lt;kellydn@frontiernet.net&gt;
o: iris@hort.net
ent: Thu, Jan 6, 2011 5:36 pm
ubject: [iris] CULT: Bearded iris myths


ello all,

Some of you may know that I'm working on a book on bearded irises for Timber
ress (due out in April 2012).  One of the chapters I've always wanted to
rite is the "myths" behind growing bearded irises.  We've all heard them or
een but on the spot with them at a question/answer booth or during a
resentation.  I'm looking to collect a "top 10" of sorts, but despite
earing these for years and years, I feel like I'm coming up short with my
ist.

So here's the question-what do you consider the top myths behind growing
earded irises?  I posted this same question on our Facebook page too
Rainbow Iris Farm: http://www.facebook.com/rainbowirisfarm).

Thanks for any help and suggestions!  Happy 2011!
--Kelly

Horticulturally,

Kelly D. Norris
Farm Manager, Rainbow Iris Farm
Editor, Irises: The Bulletin of the American Iris Society
Bedford & Ames, IA
Zone 4b/5a
Read my blog at:  &lt;http://www.kellydnorris.com/&gt;
ttp://www.kellydnorris.com
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