Re: CULT: Shaving roots/WAM's Recipe

From: Bill Shear <BILLS@hsc.edu>

No one denies that shaving off roots can help control nematode infestations.

But I have yet to see any good evidence that shaving off roots promotes
faster establishment of plants than leaving them on.

If you are in a nematode-prone area, by all means remove all roots and
treat plants with a fumigant.

A second advantage of shaving off roots seems to be easier planting--if you
have many rhizomes to plant.  However, the new plants are not anchored in
the soil by old roots and easily blow over or are knocked over by cats,
etc.  Perhaps the extra work of resetting them cancels out the original
gain in time. And doesn't it take time to cut off the roots?

To me, the bottom line on root-shaving is this:  If you think nematodes are
going to be a problem (in other words, if you're in the southwestern US
with somewhat alkaline soils low in organic matter), it may pay to remove
the roots (but keep in mind that commercial growers have an interest in not
sending out nematode-infested plants).  Otherwise, I wouldn't do it.  The
old roots send out branches within a few days of planting that help to
anchor, water and feed the rhizome.  Totally new roots will not sprout for
at least a week longer, and will not branch for several more days.  It is
the fine branch roots that collect water for the plant, not the thong-like
main "trunk" of the new root.

Potting is an entirely separate issue.  Planting in pots is a good strategy
if you cannot get your new irises in within a week or so of their arrival
(though things written in this forum recently suggest that bearded irises
are not harmed by even months out of the ground), especially if your
climate is very hot and dry during the time they arrive.

My own preference is to plant almost immediately and avoid the summer heat
by specifying a September arrival for rhizomes.  Messing with the pots
seems a lot of trouble if you don't have to do it.

So my personal recommendation to novice growers who are planting only a few
irises at a time appropriate to their climate is: don't bother shaving off
roots or planting in pots first.  There is no good reason to do it and my
experience shows that the root-shaving delays establishment.

BUT--as Walter said, if it works for you, go right ahead.  For me, it's an
uneccesary, make-work step.

Now I'll say no more on the subject--much to everyone's relief!


Bill Shear
Department of Biology
Hampden-Sydney College
Hampden-Sydney VA 23943
(804)223-6172
FAX (804)223-6374
email<bills@hsc.edu>




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