CULT: Lightning Loss
- To: Multiple recipients of list <i*@rt66.com>
- Subject: CULT: Lightning Loss
- From: "* C* <m*@iglou.com>
- Date: Sun, 23 Mar 1997 20:54:22 -0700 (MST)
The two Irises that were struck by lightning were not struck at the
same time. CANNINGTON BLUEBIRD was struck first. TRUE VALOR was struck
less than a week later. I think that it was bad luck and not something to
do with the Iris or how it was cultured. During that time, we had several
rounds of fierce electrical storms and tornadoes. There is a metal chain
link fence between me and the neighbor behind me. Both Irises were close
to the fence. However, other Irises equally close to the fence were not
harmed. After the two were hit, all that was left was scorched earth, and
in the case of CANNINGTON BLUEBIRD, a piece of scorched rhizome which has
produced one fan.
I saw both strikes. The fence may have attracted the charge and taken
part of the strike. Both thunderstorms were tornadic. I am located on one
of the highest locations in town, which may cause me to be more susceptible
to this kind of thing.
Back in the late 1980's, I had a clump of Iris pseudacorus to get hit.
It lived. It was in a rainwater puddle at the time, which may have
diffused the charge enough so that the plant did not die.
Mark A. Cook
macook@iglou.com
Lexington, KY A bad place to be in a thunderstorm.
USDA Zone 5/6 Sunset Zone 35
