Let's imagine that someone (no names!) was not able to do anything with a large part of the iris beds either last fall, nor this spring. Spring was very late with continuous freeze/thaw. Then not much spring - zoom into the 90's! Any suggestions for an overwhelmed lady? (No names!) Yes, lots of rot, surprise, surprise!

If it were me I would take them all up, keeping them separated, in order to discard any with rot and clean up the rest. I would dig the entire bed up and get rid of the weeds and then replant the irises. Put down a weed preventer like preen and then keep them watered every few days until they take root. That is just me. I find that if i take up an old bed bit by bit i miss weeds and little tree sprouts and that puts me back where i was before i did the work. I know that may take some time but an hour each day will have it ready to replant in no time.

Bonnie's right....do it right, and only cry the first time

I agree with both Bonnie and Arlyn.

Thank you for the suggestion, but that sounds completely overwhelming to me! I did it once, and never again.

Sometimes, community gardens or Scout troops or church groups will help with this kind of project. Maybe you could check into that in your area? Then you could pretty much manage/supervise rather than doing it all yourself.

I'd give that person a hug . I don't have any experience with rot and unfortunately can't offer you any advice about it.

caitlinsgarden, whatever you choose to do I hope it works out the very best for you. Irises are strong plants and can withstand a lot and still bloom. Perhaps just mow the area late this summer and if possible burn it off very late this fall when all the grass is dry. With a good late summer mowing the irises will come back next spring and perhaps reward you with blooms. If it is grass that is crowding the irises, and not weeds, there are some products to kill the grass without harming the irises. Once you get it under control it will not seem like such a daunting task. Good luck.

Totally_Amazing said:I'd give that person a hug . I don't have any experience with rot and unfortunately can't offer you any advice about it.

no kidding??
I think that makes you the luckiest iris grower in the world -

It's one of the benefits of growing irises in Melbourne's warm climate.
We don't get snow and our temperature very rarely reaches freezing point.

Of course, I will have to do the total make-over for at least part of my iris plantings....If I start in the shade maybe that will help. I guess the only answer to rot is "get off your butt"! There are a lot of irises that I don't have to baby, and I can always diversify the plantings. Not row after row of irises, but a large clump here, some daylilies, some sibs, some hosta, some lilies; fill in with things that don't need a lot of attention.

When I can't tolerate the heat, I hoist a cheap beach umbrella on a copper pipe (any pipe would work just make sure the umbrella can fit over it) and at least I have a shady spot. I move it as needed.

What a great idea Arlene! I have two beds that I'm behind on, and Between rain, and intense heat, I just can't get them under control. I have to get one of those umbrellas and at least be out of the hot sun while weeding.

It works for me. Just push the pole to give you more shade.

good idea, Pirl! Instant shade.

The older I get, the more heat bothers me. Good for tomatoes but not for me.

Yes, and here, during the heat of summer, once the night temps do not drop below 76 degrees the tomatoes will not set any fruit.

When you get done with yours you can come to Michigan and help me pull my THOUSANDS of thistle stalks from the beds!!!!

Sorry Lynn, I will never be done sigh.... But I made an interesting discovery this am. The iris rows that I planted the last two years into a gravel mulch, do not have this disgusting plague of rot. Will definately try more planting into gravel. (Not inches, just a thin layer.) Perhaps it deters slugs? Adds limestone to modify the ph?