I wonder if a separate bed with new soil and new irises would grow? (Separate tools, etc.) Or in the same fashion, pots? If the problem continues in that new bed you would have to wonder if the contamination is coming from somewhere other than the dirt. Water? Critters?
I love mysteries, but not in my iris bed! You have my sympathy.
quote="crowrita1"]I had them send in samples last year (things look the same, to me , this year) and the 'first" culprit is botrytis (a fungal type of rot), the 2nd culprit (when the "bad smell" starts, and the rhizome turns to soup" is erwinia (bacteria). They suggested a fungicide , as well as a biocide.....which I have been using, and, it *might* be helping, but , apparently , not enough ! Both types of "rot" are likely brought on when the plant is injured, or, when it's stressed ......too cold, wet, dry, hot, damaged by insects, or cultivation, newly planted.....whatever.[/quote]
