HYB: help - rotting pod stalks

So far 3 of my precious few successful crosses have hit the dirt because of
stalks rotting through, in spite of keeping leaves stripped off.  After weeks
of no sun and temps 20o below normal and 2 or 3 inches of rain every day, I
am thrilled that they haven't ALL rotted.

The stalks are rotting above ground level.  I have 1 that rotted off at the
base of the pod screwed into a baking potato (I doubt this one will make it),
and the other two are on their remaining stalks in a vase  of  water, Sprite,
and a bit of sugar water/flower fresh re: Dave Silverberg and Lloyd
Zurbrigg's suggestions on the list last year.  These are pods from the 2nd
week of May, so they have a LONG ways to go.  The stalks continue to rot from
the cut end up.  My question is, can I doctor these things with Clorox
without killing the pod?  If yes, what concentration should I use?  Should I
dunk the whole stalk, pod and all?  Should I just give them a quick dip or
soak them a while?  How long?

Linda Mann lmann76543@aol.com east TN USA
Thanks for suggestions to move to mecca (variously California, Hawaii, and
Orgeon) but for some reason, I think I like it here.  Though I am once again
questioning why I keep trying to grow irises instead of something that likes
it here.
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