Re: CULT: winter survival

Griff, the worst aphid problems here are always during the winter -
every warm day, there's a population explosion.  Every curved over leaf
has masses of them on the lower surface.

Once temperatures get warm enough in spring, the predators get going and
there don't seem to be nearly as many.

I've always assumed the aphids were a big contributor to leaf spot here,
but never have worried about it much since my goal is to breed leaf spot
resistant cultivars.  Aphids are my little research helpers <g>

Lots of lush growth here too - temps were in the upper 70s & low 80s.
Good set up for major spring bloom (and some whole plant) losses if we
get one of those nasty freezes in the low 20sF or colder in the next few
weeks.

--
Linda Mann east Tennessee USA zone 7/8
East Tennessee Iris Society <http://www.korrnet.org/etis>
American Iris Society web site <http://www.irises.org>
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