Need some help
- To: Multiple recipients of list <i*@rt66.com>
- Subject: Need some help
- From: T* H* <d*@fgi.net>
- Date: Sat, 14 Mar 1998 06:30:00 -0700 (MST)
I'd like the advice of Iris growers who've really been there! Probably
can't say it is a few words - so grab a cuppa!
My own place is so shaded with trees I can't have Iris here, so I
have them on my mother's 6 sunny lots about 2-1/2 hrs. away, in S. Il, zone
6. The instructions for planting - shallow, on a ridge, back exposed just
won't work there - its a fringe zone - might freeze most winter nights,
thaw during the day, shipment might happen in August or September, so
there's not a lot of time for good root establishment,
and thus they freeze/thaw/freeze/thaw, heave out. In February and March
and into April, the rainy season, any shovel of dirt will fill with water -
its a high water table to begin with, and looking around, I see that her
end of the country block is lower than most the land around - so during the
spring rains, there's a LOT of water in the ground.
I brought in 20 tons of top soil, spread it 6 - 8" deep, 80' x 12', planted
250 deeper than recommended with the fan's right at the top of the dirt,
the tails in at an angle. To hold the dirt and the iris, I planted
perennial rye grass over the entire, it grew to 5-6" and has held things
together wonderfully.
It was my intention to remove the rye from around each rhyzome, expose
its back a little more, and use the discard on the rest of the garden as
green manure. Before this last cold snap, I had new fans about 2-3" high,
but last week was the coldest they've had all winter, strong cold winds,
little snow for protection, and I won't know how they fared until next
weekend.
Someone posted recently that new iris rhyzomes had extended up (more
shallow) from the mother rhyzome. Do new iris always seek the higher
ground and sun that will spur their growth and bloom?
The rye has kept weeds out, but some have suggested their nitrogen-making
roots might be too much for iris - would promote rot.
I think if the mother rhyzome is too deep to bloom but will still make
increase, I could do without the blooms to hold them down while increse
gets established. Should I remove rye at all? Just around the rhyzomes,
or completely from the bed? When? After the rainy season
and before bloom season? Would appreciate any suggestions. Thankx Sharon
