Re:CULT: Need some help

Sharon The Hiltibidals posted about miserable growing conditions.

I enjoyed your post Sharon - you sound as determined to grow irises in
impossible conditions as I am and is definitely an 'opportunity' to
experiment with techniques that others wouldn't try.  The idea of using
pernnial ryegrass is a new one to me.  You forgot to use a signature
that contains your location, so I will answer you as if you were in a
similar climate to my own.

> 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?  

Some will tell you yes, but my experience and that of others on the list
has been that it depends on the cultivar, soil, and climate.  They do
tend to seek the depth that works best for them.  So if they are too
deep, the increases will be higher, or tunnel lower if too exposed. 
Last year, I started burying all my rhizomes with my gravelly loam
soil.  A few rotted, a few thrived, most seemed about the same.  The
increases seem to start out underground, but as the rhizomes get bigger,
the backs of many of them are exposed.  There has also been some
discussion on the list about covering rhizomes with coarse sand to help
combat heaving.

> The rye has kept  weeds out, but some have suggested their nitrogen-making
> roots might be too much for iris - would promote rot.  

Rye doesn't make nitrogen - only legumes (bean/clover/alfalfa family)
and a few others do that.  What might promote rot is lush growth of the
rye not allowing good air circulation.  However, in your situation, the
rye may help dry the soil out some because of its water use.  

> 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.  

In most conditions, I would expect the dense rye to outcompete the
irises for nutrients, water, and sun, which would slow the iris growth,
though not killing them, but it's hard to say what will happen.  If you
aren't concerned about bloom the first year (a shame), just keeping the
rye thinned out should be enough.  Mowed grass around your iris planting
is no problem, but most varieties of irises (but not all!) won't thrive
and bloom if they are crowded by any kind of vegetation, including
themselves.  I'd say start getting the grass at least 6 inches (a foot
would be better) away from the rhizomes whenever you can.

Let us know how this experiment turns out.

Linda Mann east Tennessee USA
with everything uncovered again, not anticipating 22oF last night.  It
was over 60o yesterday.  This is why I don't usually bother - all that
work and and the vagaries of weather here sneak past anyway.  Most
should be ok (poor Mariposa Skies will be unhappy, but will grow again -
sorry Rick).
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