Re: help with Iris bore, Thanks!
- To: Multiple recipients of list <i*@rt66.com>
- Subject: Re: help with Iris bore, Thanks!
- From: "* G* C* <j*@erols.com>
- Date: Wed, 30 Jul 1997 17:32:26 -0600 (MDT)
Jules A. Hojnowski wrote:
>
>
> So you think that working in the Allfalfa pellets and bone meal
> will get rid of what ever bores are still in the ground?. . .
> In the mean time we have dug up all the iris and composted them.
> I was assuming that there was no hope for them, since I found about 3 dozen
> bores in the rhizomes and in the stalks. It was pretty messy. :-(
> Is this a good assumption?
>
Jules -- No amount of alfalfa, rabbit chow or any other FOOD will help
control borers. Use the Cygon 2E in late fall and again in early
spring/late winter when you see the first evidence of iris growth, It's
a systemic pest killer and will do in the little microscopic devils as
they go about their evil deeds (eating your iris, fans first, rhizomes
eventually).
I'm sorry you composted your irises. Often, the damage a borer has done
can be countered by cutting away the damaged tissue of the rhizome and
fan, giving it a rinse of 25% bleach solution, washing that off, and
replanting it. (Of course, if you've got a LOT of the particular
variety, it's easier to throw the damaged stuff away.)
Griff Crump, along the tidal Potomac near Mount Vernon, VA, where a few
thunderstorms of late have mitigated our dreadful drought.
jgcrump@erols.com
