Re: Re: HYB: CULT: seedling potting

Linda the area where I start the seedlings only gets 6 to 7 hours of sun.
With all the rain this year they did not get that much. I could not tell
much difference in the ones that germinated early. I had a few that were
real late and they were a little smaller. I have a few that have germinated
this fall from this springs pots.

It is a mix of early and mid bloomers most being mid.

I think the difference is they are getting nitrogen for good leaf growth.
Almost everything I read says no nitrogen for iris. That has not worked for
me. I prefer 6-24-24 or even 12-12-12. It should be applied during growth
times not when it is hot and humid and they are going smi-dormant.

I grow my iris in raised beds with well drained soil. 2" or more of compost
added at planting time. I compost all my iris leaves so the nutrients are
returned. Adding leaves in the fall to the compost.

I do plant way too close so I have to dig every 2 years. I have a small area
and try to grow too many. I line my seedlings out at Hidden Acres Iris
Gardens. John puts me to work when I go out to check on them. :-)

I live on a hill side in town so I really am closer to zone 6. I know we had
several frost that killed the tomatoes in gardens out of town and mine
lasted several weeks longer.

I think it would work for you or anyone. With large numbers we get into
expense and time.

Mike Greenfield
redear@Infinet.com
SW Ohio Zone 5b
----- Original Message -----
From:  Linda Mann
  seedling potting


> Wow, Mike, that is impressive first year growth.  I am two zones farther
> south and only got that kind of size in the seedlings I pushed to
> germinate in the preceeding fall.
>
> Most of my crosses are late bloomers or rebloomers.  I think Walter and
> others have said that the early bloomers germinate first.  So, maybe I
> am not going to be able to get that kind of first year growth no matter
> what I do.
>
> However, your results sure do make me want to experiment more with my
> seedlings to see if I can push them more that first season.  Thanks for
> posting the photos - picture is worth a thousand words.
>
>
>
>
> --
> 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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