Well, I've never posted to this thread before but thought I'd throw in my two cents worth on controlling iris borers. (DaisyDo, I saw your post mentioning that systemic chemicals were illegal in your area and thought perhaps you weren't familiar with what I use.) I use nematodes. Totally safe for people, pets and all wildlife except larva of iris borers, grubworms and such.
I just applied two species of nematodes to all my irises yesterday. It started raining shortly after, which is why I chose to apply them at that time. Well, that plus the timing is right for my soil temperatures right now.
It is possible to obtain 100% control of iris borers using nematodes. It requires two applications, one in spring just before or as the borer eggs are hatching, the second in fall as the full-grown borer larvae are moving out of the rhizomes and into the soil to pupate.
The nematodes are microscopic, soil-dwelling roundworms. They attack the iris borer larvae whenever the larvae are on or in the soil.
It would take several paragraphs to explain the entire process but I did write up an article for my website just a while back.
NOTE: Moderators, if posting the following link is not appropriate please feel free to delete this post and please accept my apology.
Anyway, if you want full details for using nematodes to protect your irises you can read them at this link: (It will take you to the article on my website.)
https://www.fragrantiris.com/p...
Since I live in a farming area there are few restrictions on chemicals, so long as you follow the label and, in some cases are properly certified. Still, I do everything I can to avoid chemicals.
The other thing I've been doing "In my iris garden today" is collecting iris blossoms. I'm placing fully opened blossoms in glass vials. My hope is that I'll be able to use those to help me create accurate fragrance descriptions long after each cultivar has finished blooming for the season.
Almost 1 1/2" of rain so far. Clearing tomorrow then an 80% chance of more rain on Friday. So thankful since this is the first measurable moisture we've had in many, many months. A few days ago I saw a drought map on Fox Weather. This area (SW Kansas) had the deepest, darkest, "exceptional" drought rating.
Hope you all have a great bloom season!
Randy
