Re: Arilbred Culture

Clarence Mahan wrote:

: The biggest problem, Tom, is drainage in my opinion---you have good drainage,
:  but in the East for real success with most arilbreds, one has to build up the
:  beds with porous soil, broken flower pot pieces, stones, etc underneath to
:  get drainage---and because most of our Eastern soils are acidic heavy clay,
:   we have to lime often. 

In Oklahoma, drainage was certainly the key.  Our soil was also acidic, heavy
clay -- heavy enough that mud puddles tended to persist for a week after a good
rain -- but it was never limed or lined with anything porous.  We planted all
iris in raised beds, separated from the lawn by trenches that served to keep the
bermuda grass at bay.  After a heavy rain, those trenches looked more like
moats, but they did take the excess water away from the iris.  

Sharon McAllister
73372.1745@compuserve.com
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