Re: [iris-photos] gypsum (iris nutritional requirements)

Harold,
Your recent comment that iris are heavy calcium and sulfur feeders is new and
interesting information for me.  I use gypsum for my clay soil as you do.  I
knew that it didn't have an effect on soil pH, but what I didn't know was the
low solubility and, thus, availability to the plants.  Thinking back I realize
that it does not dissolve well in rain, for instance.  I had heard that
calcium was beneficial to iris, but nothing about sulfur.  I would like very
much to get more information on nutritional requirements for iris.
thanks,
Chuck Bunnell
Lafayette, IN
Region 6
Zone 5a-5b

P.S.  I'm sending this thread to the Iris Talk forum too.
  ----- Original Message -----
  From: Harold Peters
  To: iris-photos@yahoogroups.com
  Sent: Monday, June 14, 2004 7:48 AM
  Subject: RE: [iris-photos] gypsum


  Irises are heavy feeders including both calcium and sulfur. Plant nutrients
have to be dissolved in water for the plant to be able to adsorb the nutrient.
Since gypsum (calcium sulfate) has a very low solubility, neither the calcium
nor the sulfate are readily available to the plant. The low solubility also
means gypsum has a very minor effect on pH. The gypsum package gives the
application rate for loosening the clay. The rate  is high enough that the
ground is white before tilling it in.

  Harold Peters
  Beautiful View Iris Garden
  2048 Hickok Road
  El Dorado Hills, CA 95762
  harold@directcon.net  www.beautiful-view-iris.com
    -----Original Message-----
    From: Sandra [b*@yahoo.ca]
    Sent: Sunday, June 13, 2004 10:47 PM
    To: iris-photos@yahoogroups.com
    Subject: Re: [iris-photos] gypsum


    Oh, and I was blaming it for the poor growth in that bed the first year.
I though I had put too much.  What
    about the sulfate part could that have any bearing ?

    Sandra

      ----- Original Message -----
      From: Harold Peters
      To: iris-photos@yahoogroups.com
      Sent: Sunday, June 13, 2004 9:38 PM
      Subject: [iris-photos] gypsum


      My understanding of gypsum is that it is good for loosening clay soil
but of minimal value as a source of calcium because of its very low
solubility. I have clay so use gypsum routinely when rototilling beds.

      Harold Peters
      Beautiful View Iris Garden
      2048 Hickok Road
      El Dorado Hills, CA 95762
      harold@directcon.net  www.beautiful-view-iris.com
        -----Original Message-----
        From: Sandra [b*@yahoo.ca]
        Sent: Sunday, June 13, 2004 10:22 PM
        To: iris-photos@yahoogroups.com
        Subject: Re: [iris-photos] RE: IB Agatha Christie (gypsum)


        That's what I had added to the soil, too - gypsum, several years ago.
Hmmm, perhaps an experiment is in
        order.

        Sandra
          ----- Original Message -----
          From: Chuck B
          To: iris-photos@yahoogroups.com
          Sent: Sunday, June 13, 2004 5:59 PM
          Subject: Re: [iris-photos] RE: IB Agatha Christie


          Sandra, Sharon, et al.,
          Agatha looks more like Sandra's version.  In fact, that's exactly
the way I remeber it colorwise.  That grew in pretty good soil which may have
had some gysum (calcium sulfate) added several years ago, but I can't really
say that the soil was calcium rich.  Don't know.
          Chuck Bunnell
          Lafayette, IN
          Region 6
          Zone 5a-5b
            ----- Original Message -----
            From: slengst@aol.com
            To: iris-photos@yahoogroups.com
            Sent: Friday, June 11, 2004 12:04 AM
            Subject: [iris-photos] RE: IB Agatha Christie


            Sandra,  et al

            Attached is a combo of my Agatha Christie, top left and yours,
bottom right.  There really is a difference, probably soil conditions.

            Sharon
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