Re: Iris Borers

In a message dated 96-09-23 18:54:54 EDT, you write:

> 
>     Well, the verdict is that it may be kind of expensive, but it works 
>     for me.  Anyone else had any experiences (good, bad or inconclusive) 
>     with beneficial nematodes as an iris borer control??
>     

Stephanie... I've been asking the same question - one person told me that
nematodes (like milky spore for grubs) will not survive our winters.  Another
told me they are perfectly hardy and will colonize.  So, choose your theroy.

Rich, to answer your question, when you plant one crop extensively, whatever
it is that bothers it will eventually (and probably sooner than later) find
that crop.  Our crop is iris... so we get irisborer.  The only truly
effective control is chemical.  There are many organic remedies which include
total clean up of foliage in the late fall... OR total clean up of foliage in
the spring (thereby taking the borer moth's eggs with it).  After that,
vigilance is the key.  The signs of borer include notching on the side of an
iris leaf... sawdust at the base of the fan... and finally, the fan falling
to the ground.  The organic solution at this point is search and destroy...
not for the fainthearted.  

Cygon 2E is used in the spring as a preventative pesticide.  It is first used
as a drench when the iris shows growth... then twice more at 10 day
intervals.  There's nothing you can do right now since the borer is for the
most part, done eating and gone to pupate.  If you're still losing fans... I
would suspect rot.

So RICH.... WELCOME TO THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF IRISES... and sorry about our
sometimes rude company!

Kathyguest... the irisborer (a zen thing... )
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