Fwd: Experiences With Reemay

The attached is a message forwarded (with permission) from the daylily list 
I'm on.  Ted White's father is a very well-regarded iris hybridizer.

  • To: D*@MAELSTROM.STJOHNS.EDU
  • Subject: Experiences With Reemay
  • From: T* W* M* M*
  • Date: Wed, 20 Oct 1999 10:34:26 EDT
In a message dated 10/20/1999 6:15:20 AM Eastern Daylight Time,
Irisborer@AOL.COM writes:

<< Have we talked about using reemay in the garden??  At an iris meeting over
 the weekend, there was some discussion on using this on irises - but since I
 have mixed beds, I'm wondering if this is doable.

 I'm all ears.

 Kathy Guest in East Aurora, NY >>

Kathy,

We have been using Reemay on our tall bearded iris beds for the past six
winters with excellent results. First, I should mention that Reemay is a
brand name for a polyester fabric that is used by many nursery growers to
protect their unsold stock over winter. It comes in different thicknesses,
but each allows good air exchange regardless of the type used.

During the late 1980s and early 1990s we were experiencing many losses among
our tall bearded irises due to rotting over the winter months. By 1992 the
rot had become so severe that something had to be done to correct the
problem, or we would have to abandon our iris plantings. We had heard of one
iris grower's experiences with Reemay while attending a national iris
convention, so we decided to give it a try. The results were astounding. In
the spring following its first use, there was virtually no rot anywhere in
our iris beds. Thinking that this might be a one time phenomenon, we applied
the fabric for a second winter with the same results. After six winters of no
rot, I think we can say that Reemay has been worth every cent we paid for it.

The reason that Reemay seems to be highly effective for us is that it
prevents a lot of ice buildup around the iris rhizomes. Once an ice cover is
in place, the soil just cannot breathe. Apparently this makes conditions ripe
for bacterial action to begin, and with it, a whole bed of iris can suffer
terrible losses. With Reemay in place, you have a layer of air next to the
soil and a layer of snow right above it. Both act as good insulators, helping
to keep the temperature at soil level constant. This also helps to keep new
transplants from heaving during any periods of alternate freezing and
thawing. Most people know that snow is a good insulator from extremely cold
temperatures, but may not realize that trapped air beneath the snow is also
an excellent insulator.

Although we have not experimented with Reemay on a mixed perennial bed, we
have no reason to believe that it would not be beneficial to all the plants
that are wintering over outside. The fabric will allow air and moisture to
reach these plants, so I would doubt very much that there would be any
negative effects from its use. If anything, I would expect that any plants
that are in the mixed bed would likely be more likely to survive with Reemay
than without.

I should mention that before we apply the Reemay to our iris beds, we first
clean up the entire bed. We cut all the iris foliage back to about 3-4" above
the soil level and remove any weeds and leaves that happen to float down into
the bed. Then the Reemay cover is put in place. It may be held down along the
sides with garden cloth staples, bricks, or small, smooth rocks. An added
benefit is that when you remove the cover in the spring, the bed is still
very clean and requires less spring maintenance.

Last fall we did cover a small portion of one daylily bed that was adjacent
to an iris bed. While this was hardly a scientific study on how it affects
daylilies, we did note that the daylilies under Reemay looked very healthy
this spring.

Reemay, or its equivalent, should be available through some garden centers or
at garden supply websites. I know that it is available through the Gardener's
Supply Company in Vermont, but it is not called Reemay. I believe it is
called a "crop cover."

Reemay may be used for several winters if it is folded up and stored
properly. It is wise to lift any garden markers and place them flat on the
ground before applying the fabric. This will prevent fabric punctures. We
have used some of the sheets of Reemay for about five years before we
considered replacing it. So, it's durable.

I think Reemay should be effective in those states where winter snow cover is
marginal or nonexistent. Gardens in the lower New England states, mid
Atlantic states, New York, and Pennsylvania might benefit. Unlike Maine,
these states usually have less snow cover and winter conditions tend to be
less predictable. That means more freezing and thawing. That's when Reemay
could help most to minimize damage because it tends to keep the temperature
of the soil more stable. My best guess would be that those who are purchasing
plants from the deep south would be less likely to lose those plants if
protected by this fabric. I believe it would be worth a try. There's really
nothing to lose. Reemay is not overly expensive, and if it could save $150
daylilies while they are getting established, it would be worth every cent
you pay for it.

So, that's my take on Reemay. Perhaps others have some experiences that they
might like to share with us.

Ted White           Minot, Maine           USDA Zone 5a

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