Re: SIB: borers?
- To: Multiple recipients of list <i*@rt66.com>
- Subject: Re: SIB: borers?
- From: I*@aol.com
- Date: Mon, 14 Jul 1997 03:07:26 -0600 (MDT)
In a message dated 97-07-12 21:59:26 EDT, you write:
>I've been digging up a clump of CAESAR'S BROTHER today and discovered that
>some of the roots have been hollowed by a pinkish white fat caterpillar
>thing - about an inch long. What is it? and how do I avoid it in the future?
>They - the SIs - were in a really clay heavy part of the garden and may have
>been shaded too much by an antique moss rose....
Nancy:
You have irisborer! Shading has nothing to do with it... nor does your
soil.... all you have to do is grow irises - and sooner or later the
irisborer will find them.
The main control is cleanliness... clean up all dead foliage as it occurs,
and cut the clump right down to 6 inches or less in the fall. Borer moths
lay their eggs on iris debris so this is important. Also, in the spring it's
important to get out there before the moth does and get the area cleaned up.
After that, the organic control is vigilance - and seeking and destroying any
borer once you have evidence they're in there. This may be harder to
determine on siberians. The chemical control is something called Cygon 2E
which can be applied prophylactically in the spring at tulip time. It's a
systemic insecticide which renders the plant toxic.
My condolences on your borer problem - hope you get them before they get you!
Kathyguest - who KNOWS from borer
