Re: CULT: what if this were a drought?
- To: Multiple recipients of list <i*@rt66.com>
- Subject: Re: CULT: what if this were a drought?
- From: D* S* <s*@molalla.net>
- Date: Sun, 27 Jul 1997 00:41:10 -0600 (MDT)
J. Michael, Celia or Ben Storey wrote:
It is such a pleasure to drag the hose past the iris bed without having
to stop. Sweet dreams, bearded sleepers.
>
> Which brings me to my question. This isn't a drought; but if it were, would anyone water the bearded irises in his collection after, say, a month and a half of high-90s without rain? I know the historics would soldier through without any help from humankind and thank you very much. But what about the newer hybrids? How well would ALABASTER UNICORN, say, survive a real Dust Bowl drought with nary a drop to drink?
> Just curious.
>
> celia
> storey@aristotle.net
> Little Rock
Celia;
Last year, because I was so ill, our irises sat out in the field with
nary a drop of water since the rain stopped in the spring of '96. They
haven't received any water this year, either, and you would be amazed at
how well they are doing. Both the antiques, and the newer varieties. We
had over 2400 different varieties, old and new, and we have lost very
few, (with the exception of the siberians the gophers gobbled) even with
the lack of attention they have had to put up with. The rhizomes are not
necessarily all of the calibre we would be proud to ship to customers,
but there are many that are truly amazing, given the lousy conditions
they have had to endure. I hope I will have the time to note the ones
that have made an outstanding performance in spite of the 5 foot weeds,
lack of feeding, and no watering at all, since 1995. Those are the ones
I will be keeping for our own collection, long after the commercial
stock has been dug and disposed of.
Nancy Silverberg, Molalla, OR where the temps have been absolutely
perfect for working out in the garden!!!
