Help - Iris Doctor

mrtoad · Post by **mrtoad** » Jun 11, 2008 3:50 pm

the photo image looks better than the iris - they are pale, have small brown spots on some of the flags, some flags have wavy areas, and some are turning brown from the top down - thanks for any help
rdeal

kHT · Post by **kHT** » Jun 11, 2008 6:22 pm

There is the appearance that they maybe drying out to much and comet might help with those brown spots. I can't tell from the photo but they maybe to deeply planted?
I hope Dr. Mike will be along to help.

mrtoad · Post by **mrtoad** » Jun 11, 2008 8:37 pm

please explain, "comet"

thanks for you quick response

rdeal

Garden_of_Mu · Post by **Garden_of_Mu** » Jun 11, 2008 10:29 pm

This is perfectly normal. The leaves irises grow in early spring are not adapted for summer and warmer temps, so the outer leaves tend to brown off and become susceptible to leaf spot. Leaf spot is a very common iris problem and it results from bacteria or fungus in the soil being splashed onto the leaves during rain. Leaf spot can't be eradicated without the use of harsh chemicals that you and your family really don't want to be around, but you can minimize the effects with a good mulch (around the clump - never over the rhizome, in most areas) and a light top dressing of garden lime. Good ventilation and air flow helps as well. In the meantime feel free to trim the fans down removing any diseased or damaged foliage and leaving anything healthy and green. The new summer leaves will be tougher and it all won't be so distracting as they fill in.

Kas · Post by **Kas** » Jun 11, 2008 11:03 pm

Comet is the name of a powdered bathroom cleaner. Sort of like Ajax. I think it is supposed to help kill fungus.

Kas

laurief · Post by **laurief** » Jun 12, 2008 10:04 am

Comet doesn't kill fungus and won't do a thing to help with leaf spot. It is of limited value in treatment of bacterial soft rot.

Laurie

kHT · Post by **kHT** » Jun 12, 2008 7:40 pm

Sorry mrtoad for posting and not stopping back by. We are finishing up cutting our iris back for the spring. I guess I would rather have a nice healthy looking green plant and take precausions. I dust my plants in February when I cut back my roses and noted with the adding of mulch this year those that did dry out more turned brown on the edges. But I too deadhead the whole yard and take care of the browning edges when I do deadhead. I have folks that walk through the gardens and note if things don't look 100%. Sorry???

Ours also get a messenger spray and we do spray for mites due to what we grow.

Kas · Post by **Kas** » Jun 12, 2008 8:49 pm

Thanks, Laurie! I have never used it myself, but had heard about it somewhere, sometime.

Kas