Re: CULT: Bloom Out, Preventing

From: "Jan Clark" <janclarx@hotmail.com>

>     I would like ideas on how to encourage Iris which look like they are 
>heading towards bloom out, to start growing new plant growth!

Someone on the list suggested a while back, that knicking the sides of the 
rhizome with a sharp knife will induce new increase. I did this with 
Silverado, and Cross Current, and had new increse shortly after, but 
couldn't say if it was co-incidental or not.

An extract for you from the September 1951 Australian Iris Society notes:
"It is perhaps not generally recognised that strong offsets can be raised 
from the base of the flowering stems, and if it is desired to increse the 
stock of any variety of which only one plant is held, this method is worth 
the small amount of trouble involved. After the flowers are over and while 
the stem is full of sap - say a month after the flowers have been cut off - 
shorten the stem to half its length. With a sharp knife cut the stem, not 
off, but OUT of the rhizome, withoug cutting unduly into the rhizome."
"It is important to include that portion of the stem shaped like a keel 
which bends round to join the rhizome; this is the matrix from which the new 
offsets will spring. Fill a 2lb. glass jar with washed gravel to within 2 
1/2" of the top, add water till it reaches 1" below the top of the gravel, 
set the stem on the top of the gravel and support it in an upright position 
with the help of one or two larger stones. The jar should be kept in the 
shade, but in a warm place that receives the indirect sun. Roots will strike 
down into the water in a short time, and eventually buds will appear. As 
soon as the buds are seen the stem should be gradually shortened, inch by 
inch, till it is only 2" long. When the offsets are 3" high, remove stem 
from the jar, split it carefully, leaving a portion of the stem to each 
offset. Plant the offsets in pots, and as soon as the pots are full of 
roots, and the plants are hardy enough, plant out in the open ground."

I think this is worth a try, if it looks like you are going to lose a cv.
If I find any more gems like this in my reading, I will pass them on.

Cheers, Jan Clark, in wintery Australia.




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