CULT: leaf spot!/summer crud

The Van Hook family came to help judge our show yesterday, and we talked
a bit about disease management etc.

They also farm in a valley, but grow their irises on slopes above the
valley floor.  They say they have little problem with leaf spot (summer
crud).  Except one year, when they tried to grow some irises in the
valley bottom.  Then they had the most awful leaf spot they've ever
seen. (they haven't been to my house <g>)

Confirms my suspicion that a good bit of the severity of leaf disease
here is a result of cold air that pools here (late frosts), plus fog, &
during warmer weather, heavy dew that lasts till noon.

They also commented on the spread of diseases by aphids, which I have
also suspected was a big factor here, especially during warm spells in
winter and early spring before predators catch up with them.

John, if you are reading, correct me if I've misquoted you guys.

Is there a pesticide/companion plant that is specific for aphids that
won't kill/repel their predators?

--
Linda Mann east Tennessee USA zone 7/8
East Tennessee Iris Society <http://www.korrnet.org/etis>
American Iris Society web site <http://www.irises.org>
talk archives: <http://www.hort.net/lists/iris-talk/>
photos archives: <http://www.hort.net/lists/iris-photos/>
online R&I <http://www.irisregister.com>

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