Re: Re: CULT: Wet rhizomes
- Subject: Re: [iris-talk] Re: CULT: Wet rhizomes
- From: w*
- Date: Sat, 31 Mar 2001 11:48:01 -0600
- Priority: normal
On 31 Mar 01, at 11:26, rainacre@aol.com wrote:
> I wonder why it is that out of hundreds of rhizomes I have received from
> West Coast growers not one could have water shaken out of them. Perhaps on
> the journey East they somehow absorb water from the air to arrive dripping
> at their destination.
Perhaps you are right, but I am willing to let anyone who cares to at
their expense, come open my irises packages from the West Coast,
shake out the water from the rhizomes, plant then without drying them
out, and watch them rot.
Some years the rhizomes are wetter than other years, maybe because
of the season. Perhaps they have been dried out some by the
supplier when they exhibit less moisture in other seasons. But,
be carefful with the rhizomes with the "reservoir neck," where the fan
is connected to the rhizome. There is moisture there - either from
the garden source or from formation in transit. Early shipping
season rhizomes have the most water in them.
I have a catalog in hand from the West Coast that suggests allowing the plants
to 'air' for a day or two. What is the reason for that statement? I would suggest
in my humid climate the 'airing' take much longer.
On the other hand, I have received "peanuts" from
> Eastern growers which require TLC to survive the hot fall growing
> conditions in my area.
Schreiner's catalog says, 'In areas with hot summers and mild
winters, September or October planting may be preferred."
I treat all rhizomes (hockey pucks, peanuts) the same. They are
dried out, cloroxed, planted in pots, and hidden in the shade for
planting later in October or November. I have been surprised the
next spring when the hockey pucks made tremendous increase but
did not bloom. On the other hand, the peanuts made equal increase
but bloomed!
This thread about drying out rhizomes is deja vu 'all over again' for
some old timers here and new members might further explore the
subject in the Mallorn Archives.
Walter Moores
Enid Lake, MS 7/8 USA
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