Re: Partial bloom Partial meltdown

Teresa Cobb wrote:
> 
> Has anyone else had this happen or know why it would?
> 
> A stalk with 3 blossoms on it; the highest one blooms the other 2
> turn almost waxy and appear to be going thru some kind of meltdown.
> This is happening on most of the iris stalks regardless of their color.
> 
> I thought it may just be the weather until I talked to my brother in Denver
> and found out his are doing the same kind of thing.  His are transplants
> from last fall, mine are left from a previous owner at least 3  years old.
> 
> Any thoughts?
> 
> Thank you,  Teresa  zone5  ks

Teresa,

A couple of situations may be happening here, and they are all weather
related.  Of course the most obvious would be cold nights down to
freezing which would damage the buds.  The other would be dry weather. 
If you did not have rain for some time before bloom(and I mean months)
and the ground was dry then you could be looking at bud blast.  A
condition where not enough water is going thru the stalks to help the
buds open.  Iris need to be kept moist when they begin their spring
growth and right thru bloom.  Cut back on water about a month after
bloom but do not ignore entirely.      

Rick Tasco
Superstition Iris Gardens
Central California
Zone 8
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