Re: OT-bio new to list

In a message dated 5/19/2001 7:01:33 PM Mountain Daylight Time, 
Clementine507@aol.com writes:


> So I am planning to make some new beds and also put some 
> iris's back into the beds they came out of.  But I am not
> too sure what I should do to the beds to get them ready for
> iris's.  Do I need to add any thing to the soil? 
> 
Hi Clem:
       When I do a new bed I incorporate a good quanity of compost - (2-3 
inches), till thoroughly, water thoroughly, wait a few days for the site to 
absorb and partially dry and plant. You didn't say what zone you're in. . or 
what type of soil you have. I'm in TX and have sand instead of soil. For TB I 
have had to amend with vermiculite, composted mulch and composted cottonseed. 
. 


> do put something down because I have grubs?  And when I replant
> them can I put PREEN around them so that I don't have to spend all
> my time weeding which I never seem to do? 

       I have had grubs when I lived in Arkansas, (mine were June Bug grubs) 
and I never saw that they did any damage. I don't know if your grubs are the 
same so you need to find out what they are. Regarding PREEN. . I have used it 
on several occasions but not for a long, long time. If you chose to use it, 
READ THE INSTRUCTIONS AND FOLLOW THEM. Make sure Iris are in the list of 
plants that PREEN is safe to use around. And DON'T USE MORE THAN THE 
INSTRUCTIONS CALL FOR. 


> I know to dig them, to cut the green leaf into a fan, to cut off
> dead parts and when replanting to make sure the rhiozone is out of
> the dirt since they like to bath in the sun.  
> So do Iris's really need full sun. Or can I just plant them any
> where in the yard.
> 

       You might also want to dip the rhizones in a bleach solution (1 part 
clorex, 10 parts water) and let them air dry before planting.  Many growers 
break off the dead parts instead of cutting. And yes, Iris really need as 
much sun as you can give them - the more sun, generally, the more blooms. (Of 
course there are other factors affecting blooms. . )

       My suggestion would be to read all the postings, paying special 
attention to the comments and information supplied from other people who live 
in your zone. . .better yet, find someone in your area who successfully grows 
iris and talk with them. One of the best things I have learned from Iris-talk 
is that an iris might grow wonderfully for me in my area and absolutely 
"belly-up" in someone else's area. 
       Hope this has been of help! 

Doris Elevier, El Paso, TX Zone 7, AHS 9-10 Hot, dry, AND windy.


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]


 

Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
Other Mailing lists | Author Index | Date Index | Subject Index | Thread Index