[SpaceAgeRobin] CULT:optimum pH for SA expression
- To: "Space Age Robin" <S*@yahoogroups.com>
- Subject: [SpaceAgeRobin] CULT:optimum pH for SA expression
- From: &* A* M* <n*@charter.net>
- Date: Sat, 4 Dec 2004 21:26:54 -0500
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One of the observations about SA traits that has
been a matter of comment and discussion is the effect of pH on SA
_expression_.
Mike Sutton, some time back, mentioned the Suttons,
who had been growing DEVONSHIRE CREAM in a slightly acid area had no idea the
variety was SA. When stock was moved to a new area where the soil was
mildly alkaline, horns developed.
Bill Burleson reported that DEVONSHIRE CREAM has
horns normally in his conditions. Unusual in the South of the US, the
ridge on which he lives in northern Missisippi is developed out of calcareous
parent material and has a slightly alkaline normal condition.
MESMERIZER, on the other hand, develops the most
extravagant appendages under somewhat acid conditions, and for Bill Burleson,
according to his report, showed a gradient from minimal to extravagant
_expression_ in going from mildly alkaline to decidedly acid
conditions.
It appears the demands of different cv's are not
all the same.
I have a red clay soil, old, thoroughly leached
forest soil that is fairly acid. In a new bed where a fair amount of
organics, lime and gypsum had been added, DEVONSHIRE CREAM showed some blooms
this year with minimal horns. The blooms demonstrating the SA traits were
the first one or two of the stalk. The remainder were non-SA in
type.
As time goes on I suspect we will identify a number
of other factors affecting whether and how well developed SA traits
appear. Observation of weather during bud initiation in the fall, winter
conditions, early spring conditions, conditions during stalk extension, may be
informative, and infomation about general fertility and tilth issues of the soil
may be significant.
In general, from what I have seen of the many
THORNBIRD entries at our local show, the better grown the iris, the more likely
it is to demonstrate the fullest character of SA traits.
Neil Mogensen z 7 western NC
mountains
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