Re: Denver Iris

From: Bill Shear <BILLS@hsc.edu>

Not to contradict the venerable Walter too strongly, but I see no advantage
to potting iris rhizomes as opposed to planting them in the ground.  Unless
you plan to keep the pots in an air-conditioned house, they will be exposed
to the same temperatures (probably higher) than if they had been planted in
the ground.  So why not plant them in the ground right away and let them
get established where they are to grow, rather than introduce another
transplanting setback?  It would definitely not be a good idea to keep them
in pots for an entire year, especially not the small 4" pots Walter
mentioned.  That size seems small--I'd have trouble getting most of the
rhizomes I bought this year into such a small pot, which would then be
enormously topheavy.  I'm not saying this would not work, as it obviously
does for Walter--It's just not what I would do in this situation.

If the irises must be planted immediately (and there really is no need to
plant immediately--rhizomes can stay out of the ground for weeks with no
ill effects), why not put them right into the ground and apply a light,
airy mulch about 3-4" deep to keep the soil cool?

But my choice in your situation would simply be to wait for better
conditions. Keep the rhizomes in a cool, dry place until time to plant.

I'm also somewhat worried about this process of cutting off ("shaving") all
the roots before planting.  The roots of iris rhizomes are usually alive in
plants that have not been out of the ground for weeks and weeks.  Shortly
after planting, these live roots sprout branches that get the plant off to
a good start.  New cord-like roots form soon thereafter.  Shaving roots may
have some impact on nematode control, I suppose.  But what's the rationale
for doing it as a routine thing?  I don't see how it could possibly help
the new plant survive better or establish faster--roots are the only source
of water for the plant, aside from what may or may not be stored in the
rhizome (another issue!).

Bill Shear
Department of Biology
Hampden-Sydney College
Hampden-Sydney VA 23943
(804)223-6172
FAX (804)223-6374
email<bills@hsc.edu>

Why is the word "abbreviation" so long?
				-Anonymous



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