Re: Louisianas

Monashee Perennials wrote:
> 
> Good morning folks,
> 
> It is still morning here.
> 
> I guess my experience with poor bloom on Louisianas was likely insufficient
> water. I had a zone with mini sprinklers and they got what seemed like a lot
> of water to me but perhaps not enough. I am a self-admitted water miser.
> 
> I dug them out because I felt that even what I was giving them was an
> unreasonable amount in this arid area where in many years we face
> restrictions on our irrigation water.
> 
> The flowers were gorgeous and I envy those of you who can grow them, but, I
> love the arilbreds also and they are more suited to our environment. I must
> admit though that since my modest success with Pacificas here when grown
> from seed, I have wondered if growing LAs from seed would work better. How
> do you germinate the seeds? I have tried several times with not a single
> germination. Do you remove the thick corky covering?
> 
> Cheeers,
> John Montgomery
> monashee@bcgrizzly.com
> Vernon, BC

John,

I failed to mention in my last message to you that I mulched my
Lousiania's with decorative bark.  About 2 inches worth.  This helped
retain the moisture.  Still in my hot summers I was watering every other
day with mini sprinklers for about 1/2 hour.  Also giving them a light
feeding once a month.  At digging time the rhizomes were rediculously
huge.  

I shake my head when I hear people in other climates who insist their
arilbreds be kept dry in the summer.  My arilbreds including 3/4, 1/2
and 1/4 breds get the same water as my beardeds.  A deep watering once a
week during the entire summer.  They stay lush and green and form good
blooming size rhizomes for next year.  Sharon M...what input could you
give us here? 

Can't help you with germinating LA seeds as I do not hybridize these
yet.

Rick Tasco
Superstition Iris Gardens
Central California...in the foothills of the Sierra's, enjoying a
brilliantly sunny day in the mid 60's.
Zone 8
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