Hallson Gardens

I have two new Iris rhizomes and planted them correctly, however the area between the stem and the rhizome got all mushy and brown. Is it bug damage or what do you think.

Sounds like iris borer damage.This division
seems to have recovered-note the new growth- after a
thorough rinsing by garden hose w/nozzle. The scar can
be seen at the foliage's base:

If it was a recent shipment, were the rhizomes in good shape? Sometimes if they are in storage too long or if they were shipped in plastic bags they can develop fungus/rot problems. And of course they like it a bit dry and don't like to be mulched heavily, but those things can cause issues too. And yes, it could have been borer damage too. Do you have a picture of it?

I dug it up, washed it, cut off the damage and sprayed with fungicide let it dry off a bit and replanted. It happened to two both from the same grower who is very reputable. The other one is recovering and throwing a new fan. Sorry no pics as I took immediate action. The second one did seem to have some sort of hole in it. I have so many Iris in the same garden, it is weird that only these 2 new ones developed this problem. they came packed in straw with no plastic. Not damp and looked great when they arrived. I don't have mulch in this particular garden. Wouldn't an iris borer attack all of my iris in this garden?

Sorry for late reply to your question. Yes they can infect your other irises but it seems like the treatment that did may have stopped infestation from your new plants but you will have to be vigilant in the spring and make sure you do a good fall cleanup. This bulletin has a lot of good information. http://www.extension.umn.edu/yardandgar ... borer.html

Thanks Nancy-just read that link-Coincidently I just started fall cleanup in my front yard garden-where these irises are and tomorrow I will be thoroughly cleaning all leaf litter and spraying with Spinosad-which I have used all summer on other plants to stop bugs from eating holes in everything. So happens the article in the link you posted recommends Spinosad. Hopefully I have taken care of the situation already, but further cleanup and treatment can't hurt. Unfortunately the leaves are falling on my gardens now and leaf cleanup is becoming a daily chore.

Early spraying is needed if you dont want the borers to get in your iris and this is something I really know about.
Bill

Did my spraying yesterday. Hopefully won't have same problem this year. Luckily only got to two iris rhizomes last fall.

Don't forget to contact your dealer and complain,I would for sure.
Bill

I certainly will, thanks Bill

Boop, besides making sure no leaves are blown into our yard and keeping them off the iris. We also sprinkle Comet twice a year here
and our yard has hundreds of irises planted. I can feel your pain when this happens.