Re: Iris problem
- Subject: Re: Iris problem
- From: M* T*
- Date: Fri, 18 May 2001 03:12:39 -0400
Elle,
I seem to remember hearing about cold and stormy weather in the PNW.
If your buds were exposed to rain, wind and cold weather, they might
have blasted. If they feel slightly mushy and not firm when you
press them gently between thumb and finger, it's likely bud blast.
This is not a disease, but a reaction to adverse weather.
Division or not would not have that effect and the main pest of Iris
- the iris borer, makes a very visible mess of the rhizome and
leaves.
Am assuming you're talking about the tall bearded iris? They are
really pretty easy care plants, demanding as much sun as you can give
them and good drainage. They will grow in about any soil, but will
produce larger rhizomes and more flowers in good soil. You can
fertilize lightly, but don't go over board as that encourages rot.
Water when dry.
The more highly bred cultivars need a bit more TLC, I think. They
want good air circulation and do not want other plants growing over
their rhizomes. I have always planted with the top part of the
rhizome exposed.
Divide when rhizomes become congested and blooms diminish - best done
after bloom and up until late summer. I always used to think you had
to wait until July or August, but read somewhere that immediately
after bloom is better because it gives them a chance to get
established before winter and they may bloom the next year - often
divisions wait a year to bloom.
The older varieties are tough as boot leather. I have a pale yellow
mid size, early bloomer that I brought with me from a clump at a
house I rented. Clump must have been 30 years old then and was
totally neglected. I still neglect the poor things, which I have had
here for 25 years, and they bloom faithfully for me each year.
So, plant your new acquisitions an enjoy them. If you want to know
more, check out the Iris Talk list - it's archived on
http://www.mallorn.com, just like this one.
Marge Talt, zone 7 Maryland
mtalt@clark.net
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> From: elle <elle@aracnet.com>
> Date: Sunday, May 06, 2001 7:22 PM
>
> I know this isn't an iris list but perhaps someone has a clue about
the
> problem I am having.
> An iris that has bloomed regularly this time of year, every year
since I
> put in in 3 years ago has had blooms die back terribly. They begin
to
> bloom, then shrivel and collapse.
> One bloom was dry and brown before it even got to the bloom stage.
> This was the year I was prepared to dig and divide this iris.
Should I
> have done it sooner? Is their some iris bug that does this (I have
not
> seen anything).
> I'm a little worried because I out did myself last fall on Ebay,
bidding
> and winning about 50 really exotic looking iris. I am not
knowledgeable
> about these plants but decided I wanted an iris spot for color by
my
> front door.
> Halp!
> elle - Z 8 Willamette Valley (Portland) OR
> Z 6 Sunset
>
>
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