Re: CULT: Borer Infestation

Anner -- If any are to be saved, each clump has to be examined stalk by stalk, cutting out the borer, if possible without digging up the rhizome, then thoroughly dousing the cut/gouged areas with bleach, then liberally sprinkling Comet cleanser over the base of the whole clump. If necessary, cut off and dig out any rhizomes containing borers, evict and terminate the occupant with extreme prejudice, scrape the area he has occupied, cleanse the rhizomes by dipping them in a 15% bleach solution for about 5 minutes, then rinse and replant. -- Griff

----- Original Message ----- From: <ChatOWhitehall@aol.com>
To: <iris@hort.net>
Sent: Sunday, May 14, 2006 12:12 PM
Subject: [iris] CULT: Borer Infestation


Greetings.

Yesterday I was called to look at some overgrown clumps of historic bearded
irises and make recommendations for their renewal. The irises are growing in
full sun in clay in a Zone 6 garden in the foothills of Virginia. Some
questions arose, and I will pose them in several posts. I would be very grateful
for your input on these matters.

My second question concerns borers. I have limited experience of borer but I
had the opportunity once to examine a truly rampant instance up close, with
weeping fans exhibiting dramatic chewing, mounds of frass on the rhizomes,
the whiff of rot beginning, and the whole foul shebang.

Yesterday I think I was seeing something like that in the making, although,
the overgrown aspect notwithstanding, I would not have thought this was a
place the borer would fancy. There was a good deal of chewed foliage and weeping
and some center leaves of fans had yellowed and pulled away to reveal chewed
bases and such. I can't imagine it is anything else, or we have another iris
pest that has not gotten its due in the literature.

What is the best way, and the best time, to deal with this sort of thing?

Is it better to lift the plants when bloom fininishes, to wait a month after
bloom, or to wait wait longer to do so? At what point in the growth cycle is
it easiest to deal with borers in residence? And do we know for a fact that
a bleach soak will get any in the fans? If one waits a month, should one
spray something now? What?

Any suggestions would be most appreciated.

Thank you.

Anner Whitehead
Richmond VA USA

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