Re: CULT: Irrigation vs. rain



> >If you live where it can rain every day for weeks, you know rain is like
> >sex. Just because you want it doesn't mean you want it every minute of
> >every day.
> 
	Well, when I first saw this, I said I would 'not touch it with a
ten foot pole,' but here I am.

	Interesting analogy, but I am leaving the sex part to somebody
else!

	Here in North MS where we can have rain every day for weeks, the
keys to success in growing any perennial are drainage and frequent
additions of fertilizer.  Bearded irises cannot survive standing water for
any length of time, and  the beardless I grow do not like to be in
standing water when it freezes.  Both summer and winter rains here can  
cause washing away of nutrients, so after winter and during the summer
additional nutrients must be added for successful growth and bloom.

	Pine needles from slash and loblolly pine are abundant here, and I
use them as mulch on everything except the bearded and the spurias.  The
spurias are mulched with hardwood mulch because like the bearded, they
don't cotton to additional acid in the already acidic soil of this area.
The mulch can hold back the washing in some areas.

	So, even though we have tons of rainfall (66 inches already in
Memphis this year), we grow beautiful irises of nearly all species.



	Walter Moores
	Enid Lake, MS 7/8 Two HUGE blooms on MATRIX today.  Form is
        superior, but the pale cream color with brown haft markings
	doesn't excite me.  I have frozen the pollen for use next spring
	on brighter, clearer colors.  It would be great to have this form
	on a rebloomer in a more striking color.


	First freeze predicted over the week-end.  I have some cutting to
        do on some OH, IN, and VA irises that should have rebloomed
	earlier.
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