Re: Frozen Potted Iris

AnnCline wrote:
> 
> >A number of years ago I had TBs and dwarf irises in pots left from the =
> nursery. Too many things to keep up with and since they weren't in plain =
> sight, they were forgotten........all winter. <
> 
> I always have pots of irises left to winter over in pots, sometimes by choice,
> but usually not.  Same reasons lazy, forgot, too many other things to do etc..
> 
> I have found that if I set the pots on the ground or try to sink them, the
> drain holes freeze up and to not allow any water to drain out.  Ice and snow
> melt on top, but cannot drain, so the plants just rot.
> 
> But, when I place them on stones (I have a patio area of white marble chips),
> the drain holes remain open and the plants drain freely.
> 
> If the plants are newly transplanted, I cover them late December or January
> after the ground freezes (if I remember.)  I usually use pine tree branches
> from Xmas trees. Grab your neighbors' trees (after the holidays.)  This works
> even better if a layer of snow falls atop the branches.
> 
> Another way I winter over irises, is in plastic garbage bags.  Really.  When I
> speak to garden clubs, I take a small clump of irises (usually unnamed
> Standard Dwarf) to show how to divide and give each guest an iris to take
> home.  When I speak during the winter, the ground is frozen and I cannot dig
> them up.  So, I place a large clump with lots of soil in a plastic garbage bag
> and place the bag on the upturned lid of a garbage can, which doesn't freeze
> to the ground.  I fold the plastic sides down to help protect the sides of the
> clump and allow the snow to cover.  One week before I speak I bring the whole
> thing onto my unheated inside patio.  Two days before, I bring it inside the
> house, so the soil is just cool enough to divide.  I then instruct each guest
> to plant the rhizomes in a styrafoam (sp) cup and place it back outside on a
> warm day.
> 
> I also have had some success with pots in my unheated inside patio.  But,
> these need to be well watered before I give up on gardening.  Because, it then
> becomes a houseplant, which lives in spite of me, not because of me.  They
> never get watered, just like my garden
> 
> One successful iris clump last year many of you saw at the AIS National
> Convention.  I had a large clump of Chickee (MTB) in bloom growing in a large
> garden carrying bag.  I didn't know where to plant them, so I just dragged the
> bag inside for the winter.  In spring I was going plant them, but I was busy
> getting ready for the convention and never got around to it.  So, I just
> dragged it outside with its beautiful bloom to show everyone how hardy our
> favorite flower is.
> 
> Ann Cline
> Region 6
> Iris Club of Southeast Michigan
> Suppose to be in the 40's, the next few days.

I've had good luck carrying many perennials in pots, including iris,
over the by burying them in wood chips after things are pretty well
frozen.  We always have a pile of wood chips (like you get from the
Consumer's Power tree trimmers) around to mulch with or turning into
compost, and I just set the pots at the edge of the pile and shovel wood
chips over them until they are buried 4" in all directions.  Beth
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