Re: Re: May I trim them, please?


>Its probably not a bad idea to trim them as much as needed to remove
>brown spots, edges and other signs of damage. This cleanup is a very
>important step to keeping out disease and pests. For looks, most
>trimming is done to leave a fan of about 5 to 12 inches, depending on
>the size of the iris.
>
>Unlike many bulbs like daffodils, the iris rhizome does NOT need its
>leaves left intact as long as possible to store food for the next
>season...

I would agree that some minimal trimming for appearance and disease control
is fine.  However, the old habit of cutting irises down to 5-12 inches in
the summer dies hard.  This is not a good idea as a general thing.

Iris rhizomes DO need foliage to store food.  The more foliage left intact,
the more bloom the next year and the more increases.

In some climates, many bearded irises have a biphasic growth habit, with a
strong growth spurt up to blooming time.  Then there may be a period of
semi-dormancy for several weeks before growth begins again, with almost an
entirely "new" fan coming from the center of the old one.  That second
growth period lasts longer if summer rains are kind, and often results in
substantial increases sprouting from the sides of the old rhizome.  On the
other hand, under other conditions, growth can be continuous throughout the
spring and summer. This latter pattern is typical of rebloomers, and is in
part what allows them a second blooming period in late summer or fall.
Most medians and dwarfs also seem to be continous growers for me.

It probably would be OK to cut back the old leaves from the first growth
cycle once the second one is well under way.  But I would emphasize that it
is a dangerous idea to suggest that iris rhizomes can somehow grow without
adequate foliage!



PLEASE NOTE THE CHANGE IN MY EMAIL ADDRESS, EFFECTIVE JULY 12, 2000, AS
SHOWN BELOW.  HOWEVER, THE OLD ADDRESS WILL CONTINUE TO WORK UNTIL MAY,
2001.

Bill Shear
Department of Biology
Hampden-Sydney College
Hampden-Sydney VA 23943
(804)223-6172
FAX (804)223-6374
email<wshear@email.hsc.edu>
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