Re: Re: CULT: iris health

Connie; I have used pea gravel as a mulch in some
beds. Those treated this way with about a half inch of
pea gravel did better during our summer droughts and
had not problems during the rest of the year. Besides
reducing weeds it helped retain water during droughthy
periods. Most bearded Iris species come from naturally
rocky environments so even if some gravel eventually
gets worked into the soil it is only an advantage.
Gavel in the soil is not a problem but it is usefull
to ad humus to soil as a conditioner. I am amazed that
gravel is not used more often as a mulch then it is. 

--- Linda Mann <lmann@lock-net.com> wrote:

> Connie, I do <not> recommend chip mulch next to your
> irises.  I'm trying 
> to breed seedlings that tolerate mulch, at least in
> my gravelly soil, 
> but many irises these days would probably rot.  Some
> would probably be 
> ok, but I wouldn't risk it, unless you are willing
> to replace them if it 
> doesn't work.
> 
> However, a thick mulch that isn't actually touching
> the plants should be 
> ok & would definitely help keep the roots cool and
> conserve moisture. 
> As long as the raised beds are well drained.
> 
> In a "normal" year here, the chip mulch might not be
> such a good idea, 
> but between the ongoing drought (I don't water,
> except newly planted 
> things) and the devastating freeze this spring,
> anything that wasn't 
> going to survive chip mulch is probably already dead
> anyway.
> 
> When I got the mulch, my plan was to only put it
> between the rows, but 
> with the drought, I've been mulching an inch or two
> thick right up to 
> the base of seedlings.
> 
> > Do you have rot problems with the chip mulch?  I
> am trying to grow  plants in 
> > such poor conditions.  Poor quality soil hauled in
> and placed  in very 
> > shallow beds on a very rocky base.  Mulch would
> certainly help  retain moisture & 
> > prevent weeds but I have feared rot etc if I
> mulched  around the iris  
> > 
> > Connie  Eggen
> > Zone 5b
> > Warsaw, MO
> -- 
> Linda Mann east Tennessee USA zone 7/8
> East Tennessee Iris Society
> <http://www.DiscoverET.org/etis>
> American Iris Society web site
> <http://www.irises.org>
> talk archives:
> <http://www.hort.net/lists/iris-talk/>
> photos archives:
> <http://www.hort.net/lists/iris-photos/>
> online R&I <http://www.irisregister.com>
> 
>
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