RE: FIRST TIME IRIS GARDENERS

Arnold and Carol:
I really enjoyed your message.  I got some good advice when I posted a
notice about growing north of Parry Sound, Ontario (4b - sometimes rocky,
sometimes sandy, sometimes wonderful) where winters get very cold (-30C) and
the summers quite warm and the growing season short.  Anyway, I did
appreciate the advice.  But since then, I have found some of the "chats" a
little overwhelming as to the level of knowledge that everyone seems to
have.  I wondered if this iris-talk group was maybe a little advanced for
me.  And then along came your very down to earth email to first time iris
gardeners.  I guess I will stay signed up  for now ... reading lots and
gleaning what I can to use up here in northern Ontario.  Thanks again.

Susan Heder (4b - already we've had snow - but its supposed to be up to 19C
tomorrow which is high 60's F)

-----Original Message-----
From: Arnold Koekkoek [k*@mtcnet.net]
Sent: October 10, 2001 12:14 PM
To: iris-talk@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [iris-talk] FIRST TIME IRIS GARDENERS


Diana,  Annette Milch hit on the major questions when she asked where you
lived and in what USDA zone (if you know) you live.  The answers to your
other questions depend, to some extent at least, on where that is.  The
basics are the same for anywhere, though:  never cut off the leaves while
they are green, because they are the means for the plant to feed, and while
they're green the rhizome is still growing.    In this area, which has very
cold winters that may come on early at times, I never cut off a leaf until
spring clean-up.  Just keep the dead or dying leaves picked off all the
time, if you have time for it.  Dead leaves left on the ground may harbor
diseases.  The only time to cut the leaves back to about 6" is when you have
to transplant rhizomes.  Leaving the seed pods on the plant means the energy
is going to making seeds rather than into the plant itself.  If you don't
want the seeds, get rid of the pod as soon as you see it.  And as soon as
all the flowers on a stem are gone it is best to cut or break off the stem
as near the rhizome as you can.  I always cut, some always break, and both
seem to work.
    As for suppliers, well, there are so many good and dependable ones.  The
rule to follow is not to buy from a general nursery, certainly never from a
Wal-Mart type store.  The discount places usually sell the rhizomes at the
wrong time--they are in the store here right now, and any rhizomes planted
in Iowa in October have "Death" written all over them.  Again, knowing where
you live might help somebody on iris-talk give better advice about a good
supplier in your own area.  That would enable you to get stock that was
already acclimated to your conditions, and you might well get bloom the
spring following planting.   Otherwise it often happens that you don't get
many of them blooming the lst season.  Of course, there are all kinds of
good and dependable national suppliers, too, and most of us on iris-talk can
suggest some names and addresses.  For much of the country it's too late to
plant this season, but farther south you can still do it.  So, again, your
location is vital information.
    Meanwhile, welcome to iris-talk.  You can find out a lot of information
by reading what gets posted here.  And don't be afraid to ask questions, as
you have done.  I'm a retired teacher, and I often told my students there is
no such thing as a dumb question.  "Dumb" is to have a question and not to
ask it, for then you'll never learn anything new.    Happy gardening!!  And
be warned, iris growing can be addictive!!  The more you get the more you
want!!  :-)  It's wonderful!!!!
Arnold

Arnold & Carol Koekkoek
38 7th Street, NE
Sioux Center, IA 51250
e-mail  koekkoek@mtcnet.net


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