Re: Re: CULT: survival & list

George Schubert writes;
I think that Linda's goals should remain rigorous. It is only if we stretch the goals will real progress be made. If one expects a plant to survive (maybe thrive would be pushing it) in the hands of the folks who don't read directions, live in the wrong zone, etc., then it will continue to be ignored by the Harriet Homeowners. I personally think that reblooming most years in just about every zone in the US would be a nice goal, hence reblooming consistently for me will be part of my breeding program.
Reblooming consistently in zones 1 through 3 is a little more than a stretch. The post on this list the last several weeks would scare someone who was thinking of growing iris. They would think iris are really hard to grow, they rot and die most of the time. The opposite being true.

My climate conditions are not that much different than Linda's. She might have more early freezes than me but she does not have to deal with -150 with no snow cover. I am in SW Ohio. Since 98 when I joined this list I have lost 5 or 6 iris. I have had a few with rot in the clump but still had most of the clump live. This is not counting seedlings. I have grow over 1000 different ones in this time, mostly newer varieties. Vanity is my oldest iris.

I have been gardening since I was 7 or 8. I am retired now. Many years of fighting weeds, isn't that a part of gardening. I can not think of any plant that can perform it's best competing with weeds. Daylilies come close. Iris don't. Iris need sun and well drained soil. Weeds block the sun, use the nutrients and act as a mulch to hold in moisture. If you give them those conditions don't put the blame on the hybridizes for the rot or poor performance.

How many post do we see asking how to control weeds or grass? I have never seen the answer" Complain to the hybredizers it is their fault they don't grow in a weed patch".

Nothing wrong with pushing limits but realize there are limits. Arils that grow in a swamp and TBs that bloom in frozen ground are not realistic.

Mike Greenfield
Zone 5b
SW Ohio
Region 6
http://home.cinci.rr.com/irisinohio/
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