Mid-Atlantic Gardening: Fall Swap 2013 at Sallygs Haves and Wants Discussion, 1 by Gitagal

Gitagal wrote:
happy--Legend???? I am a legend??? By whose say-so?

I do not do anything special to root things. I do take time, and prepare
the cutting by stripping off bottom leaves, making sure it has at least one
leaf node in the soil, using a pro Mix type of soil, watering it in as soon as I am done--
and then putting the tray (or pots) out of the sun. THAT IS IT!!!
I NEVER root any garden plants in water! Directly in soil is best. They all root.
For cuttings of annuals--(like what i am doing) no rooting Hormone is needed.
I do use it for thicker, woodier cuttings...
That's it! I do not fuss over anything. Do not do anything special--just water when needed....

One more thing--My plants are all healthy--with no bugs--so they do not have to struggle to root.
I also root things well in advance--so you, actually, get a ROOTED plant.
I never pull something out of the ground the day before and put it in a pot
and give it to someone. That seems unfair.

Now, happy, you are welcome to come to the iris dig--BUT--It is NOT a "Great Iris Dig!
Where dig that come from????
One person asked if she could come to learn how it is done--and then another one.
That was OK with me...There is NO "Great Dig"!!!
Honestly--it would not be worth your time. I am being honest here!

I, (we), will dig all the iris out of this area, by taking turns...maybe??
Put them on the grass, and then see where a good place would be to divide them.
Throw away the old roots...replant some of the good ones.
I plan to amend the soil there before planting any back in. This area has not had any
new coil or compost dug in since who knows when. These are in my S. facing bed
along the side of the house. Tight quarters....
I will re-plant some of the same iris--and maybe put some in pots--and, of course,
the "helpers" will not go home empty handed.

I have TWO small areas with too crowded Iris in them. Like--maybe 3'x3' each. That is IT!
I don't think even two people could dig there at the same time!

Happy--if you want to come--you are welcome--just you may be disillusioned...

I will put you down for some of all you asked for. There is enough to share.

1--This is one of the clumps we will dig up. The other one is next to it to the right.
about the same size.