so sad.

That is a shame, Bonnie. Hope they don't lose all that they think they did.

I've heard that several of the other "hobbiest / growers / sellers" have had some problems. It *may* help a little to know, "it's not just me !", when a problem happens to jump up and bite you.........misery loves company, after all...........but, IF it DOES help....it sure don't help much . I can only say that those who "post their problems" on their site (or in a forum) are a small % of those that actually HAVE problems! I have been in contact with 3 "individuals", and two "sellers"......all having problems with rot , and all begging to be "nameless", as they feel, "if people know I have rot, they won't trade with me," or , "If they know I've had a problem, they will never buy here again", or, " They will think I was the one who spread it to them ". I will respect their wishes, and can, for the most part, understand their concern, but, for my part......I'll "own up" to my problems, make those who want to acquire iris from me ,aware of the problems I've had, and keep on, keeping on ! This ,too, shall pass !

Totally agree with that, Arlyn. It's not like the flu.

Well, I no longer have Decadence, Drama Queen or Queen's Circle and some beautiful Noid Japanese iris. Of course they were on the favorite list. If anyone has these or a few Japanese lmk. Maybe we could trade plants.

I will have plenty of Queen's Circle Teresa. If you don't hear from me by the end of June check back with me.

Thank you, Marilyn I will try and have a place ready! It was a beauty.

Sorry, the only one I have is Queen's Circle. Wish I could help.

I have all three of those Irises, Teresa. I know that I could share Queen's Circle. Not sure about Decadence or Drama Queen -- I'd have to look at the rhizomes after blooming is finished.

No hurry Mary Ann, even next year would be great. I should have more of that one you liked by then.

Well, any Canadians from the Prairies (and my cousins to the south in MN, ND, UT) can probably relate... it was a f#@! (flop, flit, fart.... fill in how you like ) of a winter for iris lovers. My garden is a 9hr drive to the south of where I work and you can imagine my surprise (and dismay) to find so much "death" in my yard. wahhhhhhh I have lost the following irises this year (possibly due to a harsh winter and little snow cover, then a wet/cold spring):

Balderdash
Boo
Crimson Tiger
Garden Bride (had 2 clumps but one is definitely dead)
Got the Melody
I Do
In the Zone
Legend of Fall
Plum Ringer (my favorite)
Rare Edition
Spock (poor Leonard)
Sulu
Thornbird
War Chief
Yes

Not good, maybe you need to mulch them in the fall and clean it out in the spring? Not sure if that would work or not.

Well, Sarah...it hasn't been a cake walk in Illinois, either, and you certainly have my sympathies, for whatever they are worth !I assume rot is your problem ,too, but, is it the "smelly" bacterial soft rot, or the "fungal" type (botrytis)?

Hi Crowrita1:

I'm not sure. As I live/work so far from my gardens (summer off as a teacher) I have only taken a head count of the survivors when I was down in Winnipeg at a conference. I'll be heading back down on June 6th and will have more time to dig everything out and see. I do know that 2 were stinky and mushy and they were dug out a few weeks ago when I was there. A patch of Superstition had fungal spots on them so I dug them out and used some Comet on them. My neighbor said they are looking good now. That's about the only info I have at the moment.

It hasn't been a cakewalk in western Kentucky, either. I'm still finding fans laying flat-out on the ground, rotted off at the base. I am beyond counting the losses. I just pick up the casualty and walk it on over to the burn pile -- and go on about my day. If I stop to think about it all, I'll cry.

Sorry that you had to join the club, Sarah.

I treated several more this morning. Between the bleach and the Listerine, and the Comet, and the dish soap, I have the cleanest iris in Illinois.....with no "bad breath, either!........but I still got rot . I'm sorta' doing like you, MaryAnn....clean up the trash, and move on !

Yup.

Hi Mudd and Crow:

Yes, misery loves company... thanks for the "cheering up"...lol. I guess I'll get the bbq lighter and build the pile as the month goes on.

Happy gardening to all!

Well if the bleach, Listerine and dish soap didn't work maybe buring the ground will. It's about the only thing that has not been done.

Well if the bleach, Listerine and dish soap didn't work maybe burning the soil will. It's about the only thing that has not been tried.