Re: CULT: iris haircuts

In a message dated 7/1/01 3:22:05 PM Eastern Daylight Time, 
donald@eastland.net writes:
 
< I don't like it, but on several of my iris beds I'm giving them a pretty
 short haircut.>

What a coincidence, Donald.  We have had terrible leaf spot this year, too.  
We did not get the iris sprayed this spring and with all the wet weather 
early in the growing season, our iris foliage looks terrible, especially in 
the one bed where they are too close together to get good air circulation.  I 
just finished trimming the foliage back on one bed and will work on the 
others later today when they are in the shade.  I have done this a time or 
two in the past without any noticeable harm.

Rosalie, I agree with you regarding weeds or other vegetation surrounding the 
iris.  We have some historics growing in a spot near the edge of the woods 
(keep intending to move them to the "historic bed").  They are covered up in 
weeds at the moment, and their foliage is clean.  I have noticed this several 
times when the iris beds went unweeded for some time.  The leaf spot fungus 
is in the soil, and water splashing onto the fans does contaminate them...at 
least this is the theory that makes the most sense to me!  However, what I 
said about air circulation seems to contradict the idea of other foliage 
being a deterrent.  Anyone have an explanation? 

BTW, I noticed that BREAKERS has very little leaf spot compared to other 
cultivars in the same bed.  It must have some genetic resistance.  Has anyone 
else noticed cultivars that seem to have this trait?

Judy Hunt in Louisville, KY, Zone 6, enjoying this one day of delightful, 
September-like weather.   



 

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