Re: Culture: Dormant Oil (just an opinion)
- To: i*@onelist.com
- Subject: Re: Culture: Dormant Oil (just an opinion)
- From: "* D* H* <r*@dmv.com>
- Date: Thu, 29 Oct 1998 17:23:30 -0500
From: "R. Dennis Hager" <rdhager@dmv.com>
My understanding of dormant oil is that it is used to prevent
desiccation (I had to look up the spelling on that one <grin>) of leaves
in the winter months. It is used most effectively when a plant is grown
near (or past) its point of winter hardiness, such as camellias in my
area, or when a shrub is subject to winter burn.
Since excess moisture decreases chance of winter survival for most
irises (due to rot), I can't see the sense in trying to decrease
moisture loss with dormant oil. The only iris that I would consider
using it on would be I. foetidissima which grows here, but usually looks
pretty ragged by the end of winter and I. japonica which does not bloom
reliably here. Both of these species are much more tolerant of wet feet
than the TB's.
R. Dennis Hager
on Delmarva
where a real killing frost is obviously late
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