Re: IRIS CULTURE: Small rhizomes
- Subject: Re: [iris-talk] IRIS CULTURE: Small rhizomes
- From: J* a* C* W*
- Date: Mon, 16 Jul 2001 07:54:58 -0600
> From: MARVIN EDWARDS <fjmjedwards@worldnet.att.net>
> Jeff, I have a problem at our mountain cabin where we get snow in the
winter with temperatures as low as l0 degrees F. that is entirely different
from anything we have here in the low, hot valley. In the spring, I will
find some tall bearded iris clumps entirely dead. The rhizomes appear firm
but when cut, the interior is spongy. There is no odor or any
discoloration. Is this a fungal disease. Only certain varieties seem
affected.
Francelle,
The fungal disease I was referring to is Botrytis, which can affect any
herbaceous plant with a large fleshy root (one type goes after carrots, for
example). The fungus only grows under conditions of high moisture and low
temperatures (around here, it goes dormant once the temperature rises
consistently above 40 degrees F). The most obvious sign of the infection is
the gray/black fuzzy mold growth on the exposed surface of the rhizome. If
your rhizomes are completely buried I don't know if this would be apparent
when you dug them up. The other symptoms you describe are consistent with
Botrytis infection, although in advanced cases the interior of the rhizome
becomes very soft (like custard). It is a difficult problem to deal with,
because when the rhizomes are covered with snow for months at a time the
whole clump can be rotted out by the time you become aware it is infected.
Jeff Walters in northern Utah (USDA Zone 4/5, Sunset Zone 2, AHS Zone 7)
jcwalters@bridgernet.com
it is a difficult
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