In the last issue (Summer) of The Bulb Garden Margerite English writes about
various kinds of irises, including Louisiana irises. These beautiful plants
are not ones with which I have much experience. Starting las year I acquired
several, planted them out in a pond where they grew slowly but apparently
quite healthily all summer and winter. This year, in April and May the
display was superb. The variety was, I believe, Black Gamecock. Each day
there were tens of blooms open on these plants and this went on for well
over four weeks. I was most impressed. After the blooming ended the plants
produced no new growth and the existing foliage turned yellow. The plants,
while not mushy at their roots, show no signs of active growth.
Could Marguerite, or anyone else here, care to comment on this?
The plants were planted in wide containers with the tops of the roots about
two inches below water level. I did try lifting them above the water level
after yellowing took place. It made no difference. After consulting with
Dennis Kramb and indirectly with other people knowledgeable about these
plants it appears that the climate, the water depth andwater temperature
were all in the right ranges. They received full sun all day after March and
full sun part of te day earlier in the year. I have tried applying a
fertilizer to attempt stimulation of growth. So far, nothing has succeeded.
The only explanation I can offer is that the plants just bloomed themselves
to death. They had been quite healthy before blooming and acquired the
yellow pallor thereafter.
If anyone has a better suggestion to offer I would appreciate hearing it.
Andrew
San Doego