Re: CULT: Transplanting Irises- Have Fun
- Subject: Re: CULT: Transplanting Irises- Have Fun
- From: P* O*
- Date: Sat, 2 Jun 2001 09:13:19 -0700
RYFigge@aol.com wrote:
"ONE of his [Ben Hagar's] words of wisdom was: The best times to transplant is immediately AFTER bloom before the irises have gathered their skirts to their bosom and gone a little dormant - OR - wait about 6 weeks when the irises are beginning to
recover and are ready for the next onslaught!
Dear Iris Talkers - especially those who are new to growing irises,
Ben Hagar wrote in the World Of Iris, (and I am paraphrasing - best to read for yourself starting on page 314), that there are two root growth periods during the year; when the bud begins to appear, and in late summer to early fall.
During the six weeks following the bloom, the plant takes up nutrients through its new root structure and stores it for the next spring's growth, it starts to send out increases, and it sets the bloom stalk buds for the next year.
The logical time to transplant an iris would be when the rhizome has attained its fullest maturity. That time is just after the summer dormancy has begun. At this point, the rhizomes have within them their full potential for the next season already stored inside them.
Doing the transplanting immediately after the blooms fade can be successful, but risky. You risk interrupting the active growth period when the plant takes up nutrients for the next years growth with its new root structure.
If you are one of these people who cut off all the roots from the rhizome prior to transplanting, and you decide to transplant your irises immediately after the bloom fades, then you will be cutting off the NEW root structure.
Who knows what type of growth / bloom you will get the following year?
Patrick Orr
Phoenix, AZ Zone 9
USAGet more from the Web. FREE MSN Explorer download : http://explorer.msn.com
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