RE: Containers vs Clay soil
- Subject: RE: [iris-talk] Containers vs Clay soil
- From: J* R*
- Date: Wed, 2 May 2001 08:41:47 -0700
Sounds similar to my coastal California (San Juan Capistrano) climate. I
often pot my iris until I have a flower bed prepared. Here's my advice. Do
NOT use clay pots (i. e. tandoori ovens for iris). Wood is best, plastic
okay but must have drainage. I use 70% Farmer's brand planter mix (very
fine-grained organic composted plant material) and 30% Farmer's topsoil.
They come from Chino, but are available in bags from Green Thumb, DeNault's
& other chains. The cheapest and the best products. I do not like Kellog's
products; too coarse and often loaded with steer manure, which can promote
rot. Iris thrive in a relatively heavy mix; do not use "Supersoil" or some
related houseplant blend. Remember, iris can easily grow 3-4 foot long
roots, so you should use big containers. You can get away with a 5-gallon
pot for a year, after that the growth will be limited (for a good grower).
Your iris would probably do just fine in the ground, ideally with
amendments, but I have 100% adobe clay with veins of crystallized salt, so I
don't plant much directly in my soil either. Just brought in ~280 cubic
yards of topsoil for my new garden.
Good luck
John Reeds
jreeds@microsensors.com
> ----------
> From: Carol Trout[SMTP:ctrout@pacific.net]
> Reply To: iris-talk@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Tuesday, May 01, 2001 9:18 AM
> To: iris-talk@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: Re: [iris-talk] Containers vs Clay soil
>
> I'm uncertain but I believe zone 9. I live in inland California - as low
> as
> 30 in the winter and extended periods of above 95 degree heat in the
> summer. Not only do I have clay, but it's full of rock as well. This is
> why
> I thought of containers. Do you know a good medium for containers?
>
> Carol
>
> At 11:51 PM 4/30/01 EDT, you wrote:
> >Irises do well in clay with compost added . What zone do you belong?
> > Annette in Kentucky, USA, zone 5/6
> >
> >
> >[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
> >
> >
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> >
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>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
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