Re: CULT: planting time?

I'm in 3b, and I find that if I plant beardeds after Aug. 15, I'll start to experience some winter loss. The longer after Aug. 15 I plant, the higher the percentage of loss will be. I prefer to get all beardeds in the ground by the end of July, if possible.

Another option for late arriving irises in a cold climate is to pot them up and overwinter them indoors under lights or in sunny windows. I've done this over a couple of winters, and it works fine as long as care is taken not to overwater. Irises overwintered indoors will grow spindly, floppy foliage until they are replanted outdoors and are susceptible to aphid infestations, but aside from those little issues, indoor living suits them fine for a few months.

Laurie

On Sep 17, 2006, at 3:42 PM, Janet Stromborg wrote:

I'm in zone 3/4 and I've been forced to plant this late a couple of times when orders have arrived late from vendors. I found the irises did fine if I put a cold frame over them once they were planted. The first year I didn't protect them and planted this late, they heaved up out of the ground during late winter and early spring freeze-thaw cycles and I lost them. The difference is in their having enough time to put down a good root system to anchor them in place before Mother Nature dishes out that kind of punishment. The cold frame gives them a few extra weeks.

Janet in Denmark WI
zone 3/4


----- Original Message ----- From: "J. Griffin Crump" <jgcrump@cox.net>


Hello, zone 4 folks. -- A friend asks whether this is still a good time to
plant in the Buffalo, NY area, or whether they should wait until next year.
Advice appreciated. -- Griff
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---------------
lauriefr@localnet.com
http://www.geocities.com/lfandjg
http://www.angelfire.com/mn3/shadowood/irisintro.html
USDA zone 3b, AHS zone 4 - northern Minnesota
normal annual precipitation 26-27"
slightly acid, potassium deficient, clay soil

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