Re: Re: HYB: TB: seed to bloom time

In a message dated 11/29/2005 5:46:05 A.M. Central Standard Time,  
lmann@volfirst.net writes:

<<Betty, seems like I remember your saying you were experimenting  with
shade cloth to help seedlings along.  How did that work for  you?>>
I bought the shade cloth and hoops in 2004.  I put them in place but  we had 
a delightful summer and by the time I needed the shade cloth the  plants were 
strong enough to survive.  I did use it on a few reselects and  it seemed to 
help.  This year it might have helped the seedlings, but my  operation and 
recovery came at a bad time.  I just didn't have the stamina  to wrestle with it. 
 
I did lose a  small number of seedlings, but it could have been genetics 
rather than  heat.    The 1812, 2nd generation, transplants were the  smallest and 
latest of the transplants.  I expected to lose some of these,  but they all 
survived.   

My experiment with cold frames was a total disaster.  The cold frame  was 
light weight and my high winds destroyed it. Even the frame twisted  this week.  
The panels are made of light weight plastic . . . not worth  much here.  I 
ordered the single wide so I could handle them with  more ease, and they sent the 
double wide.  They sure looked good in the  catalog!   Anyone ever seen an 
iris like that??     <vbg> 
 
I have a second cold frame, still in the box, so there may be another  
chapter on the cold frame story.  Most of my winds come from the west so  I'd 
thought a move might be the answer.  With this latest storm, I know  that a building 
can't protect it. If I can think up a good wind barrier, I  might try again.
 
Also have a 'garden quilt' for freeze protection.  Only enough for one  50 ft 
bed.  Used it in the fall of 2004 on the 1812 seedling bed, but the  stalks 
were so tall etc., and I couldn't tell it helped.  But, I don't know  what the 
situation would have been without it.  Didn't use it this fall . .  . rebloom 
was so heavy and so scattered.    
 
I am sorry I threw away that big box of old socks!  
 
 
 

 
Betty W. in  South-central KY Zone 6
Bridge In Time Iris Garden@website:
_www.thegardensite.com/irises/bridgeintime/_ 
(http://www.thegardensite.com/irises/bridgeintime/) 
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