It is discouraging to lose so many, and, lose the bloom on many more(mother rhizome is gone, but increases look alright), but, on the flip side, between some very generous "iris buddies", and some very generous, and understanding vendors, most will be replaced ......far sooner than I would have expected !
The really troubling thing is figuring out just what to do about it
! There is a lot of information on "iris diseases" out there...on the web, on the forums, on vendor's sites, in articles in the various journals, and, of course in several books on iris........and there is lots of help to be had from the various County Extension programs, but, much of it is contradictory......what works in California, may, or MAY NOT work in Illinois !, and, what worked LAST year....or seemed to !....may not work THIS year! Again, we all grow the same plant, but our soils, climates, and seasons are different, so, our methods of culture need to be modified to fit OUR conditions !
Growing iris (like most things in life !)is a life-long learning experience.....every year, and every plant, is just a little different than the one that came before it, full of surprises at every turn (some good, and some, not so much !), but ALWAYS interesting !! I can't say that I enjoy the frustration that the flowers sometimes give me, but, the fun.....and the friends.....well, you Have to love that !!
Thought I'd lost Buccaneer's Prize and Thundering Ovation. The rhizomes were firm and I decided to leave them alone to see what happened. MONTHS later they both sent out tiny shoots from the side.
