Re: CULT: Moisture/Rot Question

Mike--

I would not consider this to be wet, but you live in a different
climate with different soil. When I think of wet, I think of almost muddy,
or where you can squeeze water out of a handful. Sandy or loamy soils
can take water better than fine clays/silts. High temps and humidity also
play a role in rot. The fact that the beds are raised is good. The soil
sounds
very loamy. You should be fine.

John Bruce
SW Ohio

----- Original Message ----- 
From: <Matbeach1@aol.com>
To: <iris@hort.net>
Sent: Monday, September 13, 2004 7:15 PM
Subject: [iris] CULT: Moisture/Rot Question


> I am wondering if I can get your advice about the proper definition of
"good
> drainage" since every set of iris growing directions says this is vital.
>
> I ask because I have raised beds, which always work great for herbs,
> vegetables, etc. However, with the immense rain we've had lately I noticed
today that
> the soil is still somewhat moist in one back part of the bed, and we've
had
> two rare sunny days in a row. It's been clear and pleasant. By moist I
mean that
> my fingers are not literally wet when I dig them into the soil, but that
the
> soil has a spongy texture. My rhizomes are now covered by about a 1/4 inch
due
> to crickets. And when I scooted some of the dirt off of a couple of the
> rhizomes, they looked and felt damp. Is this what causes rot? Or is the
so-called
> "wet feet" I have read about exposure to more extreme moisture on a
regular or
> unyielding basis? I still have some rhizomes to plant in another bed, and
so I
> am adding more peat moss to it--it's well composted, good dirt.
>
> Sorry to sound like an idiot in describing various types of "wetness", but
I
> really don't want to ignore a problem that will kill these pretty flowers
if
> one exists which I could fix. I thought I had good drainage, but now I
don't
> know!
>
> Any feedback as always is most appreciated.
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