JI Fertilizer Conflict
- Subject: JI Fertilizer Conflict
- From: D* P*
- Date: Sat, 07 Oct 2000 02:34:31 -0700
There is a question that has me puzzled. Authorities typically warn iris
gardeners that lime and/or Calcium are fatal to Japanese Iris (JI).
These same authorities also recommend the use of Rhododendron and Azalea
fertilizers, superphosphate, and other general purpose or flower
fertilizers when fertilizing Japanese Iris. When checking the
ingredients of these packaged fertilizers, I typically find such
ingredients as rock phosphate and bone meal. Superphosphate is rock
phosphate treated with sulfuric acid. Rock phosphate is Calcium
phosphate and Calcium carbonate. Lime is Calcium carbonate and Magnesium
carbonate. Bonemeal is composed of high levels of Calcium.
Why are fertilizers with Calcium in bonemeal and Calcium carbonate in
the rock phosphates recommended for the fertilization of Japanese Iris,
if lime and/or the Calcium in bonemeal are said to be fatal to Japanese
Iris?
BTW, IMMORTALITY and PALTEC are currently reblooming. Schizostylis
coccineus 'OREGON SUNSET' is in full bloom.
Dallas Patterson
nye@fidalgo.net
USDA Zone 8
on Puget Sound in Washington
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