Re: arilbred culture (humidity, drainage, clay, crickets)



Lynn Woosley said
> The clay we have in the southeast does not
>generally drain well -- in fact, it holds water so well that it is
>considered excellent for earthen dam construction.  I suspect the
>differences in humidity and wind patterns also plays a part, even if just
>to the extent they effect evaporation. 

But good clay soil that hasn't lost its structure can be well drained,
especially if it contains some organic matter and isn't pure clay (silty clay
or clay loam).  Once clay is squished (loses structure), it can be made into
bricks or dams.  Squishing (compaction) reduces aeration, which is not good
for plant roots.

and Rick Tasco said
<I think Linda's problem in Tennessee is humidity like she says.  Although I
water <deeply here in
<the summer once a week, the top of my ground will be bone dry in a
<matter of hours due to our desert type heat.  And we do NOT get any rain
<at all the entire summer. 
 
I agree about the importance of air circulation and humidity where disease is
concerned. For irises and other plants (e.g., fruits).  It's also the
excessive rainfall - sometimes as much as 2 inches at a time at any time
during the year, including the summer - which can saturate the soil.  Or
steady heavy rain for a week.  Can be disastrous in warm weather when plants
are trying to grow rapidly and need good aeration.

I think I read somewhere not to use overhead (sprikler) irrigation for
irises, even in dry climates like California.  Which makes me think that
water accumulating in the leaf bases in warm weather must contribute to some
kind of injury/opportunity for rot.  Maybe it makes happy homes for crickets
or softens the tissue enough so it's easier to chew.  Do crickets in
California have the same teeth as crickets in Tennessee?

Linda Mann lmann76543@aol.com east Tennessee USA
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