Re: CULT: New Beginnings
From: "Mark, Maureen" <MARKM@tc.gc.ca>
Welcome Michelle,
Many irisarians have turned to alfalfa pellets as the ideal fertilizer. It
seems to cause rot less readily. You can read about this in the archives at
http://www.mallorn.com/lists/iris-talk/
or in the Canadian Iris Society webpage at
http://tor-pw1.netcom.ca/~cris/CIS.html.
However, a granular fertilizer that is low in nitrogen is good. Just follow
the directions and apply once or twice before bloom and during the month
following bloom. Or you could apply it half strength more frequently but
remember to stop fertilizing at least 6 weeks before the first frost.
There are a number of ways to deal with rot. All are most effective if you
detect the signs early and scrape away the mushy parts. Then you can:
1. Dust with garden sulfur, 2. Dust with granular cleanser like Comet, 3.
Drench with bleach, or 4. Drench with aspirin solution. There have been a
number of discussions on all these methods in the past -- check the
archives.
As to the shape of the bed, I find long beds easier to weed. If you make a
wide bed, you have to remember to leave lots space to move around so that
you don't snap off bloomstalks accidentally.
Ask away whenever you have questions. The archives may have the answer, but
someone on-line may have a new idea.
Maureen Mark
m*@ottawa.com
Ottawa, Canada (zone 4)
> From: akasha@midusa.net
>
> Hello everyone! This is your newcomer, Michelle. I have just started
> my hobby with Iris. I have ordered 19 different bulbs due to arrive in
> late summer. I want to do well and keep them all alive. I have done
> some extensive reading on the subject of planting and care. I am a
> little perplexed when it comes to fertilizing. I have bought a good
> 6-10-10 fertilizer, but I am a little usure of how to apply it. Some
> articles say not to use much fertilizer and some say it is essential in
> establishing new bulbs. We have had a wet year and I do not want to
> encourage rhizome rot. I would love some hints. The other question is,
> I am not sure how big to make my bed. Also, should I make it a long or
> wide bed. Any suggestiona would be appreciated.
>
> Michelle Pihl
> Smolan, KS
> Zone 6
>
>
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