Re: CULT: Soil
- To: Multiple recipients of list <i*@rt66.com>
- Subject: Re: CULT: Soil
- From: R* T* D* <r*@sierratel.com>
- Date: Tue, 13 Jan 1998 14:22:05 -0700 (MST)
Sharon McAllister wrote:
>
> In cleaning out my files, I ran across
> an old discussion about the effects of
> acid mulch and acil soil on arilbreds
> and spurias.
>
> True -- both prefer alkaline soil. There are
> a couple of old rules that newcomers may
> find helpful. If you can grow a bountiful
> crop of strawberries in unmodified soil,
> it's probably too acid for the alkaline-loving
> iris. If your hydrangeas are blue, without
> special treatment, your soil is definitely
> too acid.
>
> My question: do these rules still apply to
> our modern cultivars? Or have our iris
> been bred to be more tolerant?
>
> Can anyone confirm or refute this from
> personal experience? All I can report is
> it held true in Oklahoma 30 - 40 years ago.
>
I'm not sure about the old rules, but I have never ammended my soil for
the PH. I had a soil analysis done a couple of years ago and was
surprised to find my soil on the acid side. Three samples were taken
from my field and they came in at PH 5.5, 6.1 and 6.2. I grow both
Arilbreds and Spurias with no problem and they grow well. I would have
to say that most beardeds and Spurias can tolerate a wide ph range. The
more important factor is "clean soil".
Rick Tasco
Superstition Iris Gardens
Central California
Zone 8
