Re: Iris problem

Dear Barbara,
    I certainly sympathize with you, it can be frustrating to see your
beloved iris die.  I had to laugh when you said you threw it over the fence.
I too have a tendency to throw undesired things over the fence, but won't
tell you what I throw!  I guess it just makes you feel good <grin>.  My
brief suggestions for these beds, are, 1) make them raised beds, so that you
have the best drainage you can get (many with clay soil advise this), and 2)
keep them in full sun if you can, to keep the excess moisture to a minimum,
and 3) if possible, just plain remove some of the old bed soil, and use
brand new soil in new raised beds... this should hopefully remove the rot
bacteria/or fungus.   I know the soil replacement may seem to be a lot of
work... but if you have room and access to new soil, somethings it  will get
you positive results earlier, and in the end, may turn out to  save you time
also.   Best of luck to you!
Kitty Loberg
Northern Calif.

> Hello fellow irisarians - I have a problem with iris grown in 3 beds and
have
> had for several years.  They continue to rot despite herculean efforts to
> stop this horrid nuisance.  If it weren't for the rot, I would consider
these my
> best prepared and cared for beds.  I have iris plucked down in almost pure
red
> clay/iron ore with no amendments and little care that thrive and multiply
> despite damp feet and humidity etc.  I have iris growing in other areas
with
> somewhat better soil but which stays damp.  Iris growing in the shade and
under
> trees.  Iris growing in competition with soapwort and acid soil.
> I am down to 2 beds as I converted the 3rd to daylily seedling bed.  As I
was
> digging up yet more rotting iris this morning, I accidently dug up one
that
> was not anchored very well.  It had short stubby roots.  I threw it over
the
> fence.  I had no more than done so than it dawned on me that those roots
> somewhat resembled nematode damade.  Of course I couldn't find the rhizome
I had just
> tossed so I cannot have it tested, if indeed one can test for nematodes.
I
> sort of remember seeing other rhizomes with these roots here and there now
that
> I think of it. Does anyone know if nematodes ever attack iris?  Normally I
do
> not have a big problem with nematodes as I have so much clay and acidity
but
> this bed has been highly amended with washed sand and green sand and
oyster
> shell and compost etc.  This is the 3rd year for these 2 beds so this
isn't
> fresh amendments I am talking about.  Another thing I have been noticing
is that
> often the rhizomes seem to be attached from the bottom although my
experience
> with rot is that it usually seems to start at the base of the fans.  I
must
> admit that most of the rotted iris have long healthy roots with no sign of
> nematode attack but still wonder if anyone has ever had nematode damage to
iris.
> One other observation; although DB and IB do not do well in this area of
Texas
> as a general rule, I had planted the edges of these two beds with the
little
> fellows and almost none of them are damaged and have multiplied nicely.
Go
> figure.
> As of now I have decided to quit hovering over these two beds.  Access
them
> next spring and if the problem continues, destroy all vegetation in both
beds.
> Grow Elbon rye next winter and replant with daylilies or something other
than
> iris.  Maybe try the iris in the ex-daylily beds.  I dread all the work
and
> the fact that this will be a 2 year project, longer until I have iris
clumps.
> Why these ideas always seem to come at just anout the time I am finishing
up
> for the year, I'll never know.  I could have done that this fall but too
late
> now.
> Barbara Null
> Tyler, TX  zone 7b/8a
> acid clay/iron ored soil, high humidity
>
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