Fungus on Iris

14 years ago

I have a lot of irises, one area they were looking really bad. So I did a little research, and decided it looked like I might have iris borers. So today I dug the patch up, cut apart the rhizomes and no borers! In looking closely at the stems, I realized that it wasn't dirt I was seeing, but a type of fungus or something on them. It was black like black mold.

I have cleaned up the roots I dug and am going to wash them with bleach water.

But there are other patches that are looking similar, unlike other areas of the country we have had a cooler wetter year than normal. Is there some type of fungicide I can use, so I don't have to dig everything?

Thank you

Jenny P

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Comments (3)

hosenemesis
14 years ago
My girlfriend Marte in Minnesota had exactly the same thing happen to her this year. She even dug up some irises like you did, looking for borers.

Not knowing what the fungus is, it's hard to recommend a product. I use Daconil for leaf spot, but it does not get rid of existing fungus, it just keeps new fungus from growing. It might not work at all against your fungus.

I don't think you have to wash them with bleach water (that stuff is really bad for your lungs, and while it is good for killing bacteria, I don't think it does a thing for fungus). Will it wash off with plain old water? If you can remove dying and dead leaves that might help keep it from spreading.

I hope someone from your zone has better advice. Good luck.
Renee
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
14 years ago
please refer to my new post .. link below ...

i referred her here .. because hosey was the spret.. and lol.. you didnt do any better than i did.. lol

did CA have any 20 degree freezes after active growth started?????

w/o a picture... its really hard to diagnose disease.. dont you think????

ken

Here is a link that might be useful: link
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ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
14 years ago
i hope you had the chance to check the link ...

though i have no real aversion to chemical warfare ... when NECESSARY ...

i would suggest.. you just cut yours down.. and skip the chems ...

good luck

ken

ps: BTW.. you almost dont have to dig out iris with severe borers.. there wont be much left of the rhizome [not every one in a clump.. but a few].. and they would nearly pull out.. perhaps that might have been your first clue.. to avoid the digging ... they get about as big as your little finger.. and decimate the whole rhiz ...

Here is a link that might be useful: be forewarned.. but check the first pic ... as you can see.. that piece did not need to be dug