My Iris bulbs are all mushy. What can I do to save them?

Question

I don't know why they are mushy. Our lawn is infested with moths. Hundreds of them all over. I looked up borer moths online and the pictures I saw kind of looked like them, but they had black heads, and the ones we have are all tan all over. If they are the case, how do I get rid of them?

There are allso rolly poly bugs all over. Do they eat iris? Do I need to get rid of them?

Do I have to dig up all the iris and separate the mushed ones or can I just dig up the mushed ones and leave the solid bulbs?

Answer 1

It sure sounds like you have the borer moths: "Adult moths have chocolate-brown front wings and lighter yellow-brown hind wings with a wing span up to 2 inches." *

By mid summer Iris borers do severe damage to iris by consuming the rhizome. In your case, the Iris borer feeding has allowed the entry of a bacterial soft rot.

I'd dig them all up to check & treat them. Discard rhizomes containing iris borer caterpillars and those with tunnels. Trim dried leaves and diseased foliage. Cut or scrape rotten or mushy spots.Place iris in solution of one part bleach to 10 parts water and stir for 1-10 minutes.
Place plants in a cool, shady place to dry for a day or two. (If leaf spot is a problem, soak in fungicide for 30 minutes after rinsing in bleach water).
Dust any wounds with sulfur.
Once plants are dry, replant in prepared bed.
This July sanitation is critical.

During fall, remove and destroy old iris leaves, stems, and any nearby plant debris. This removes and kills overwintering eggs, minimizing the risk of iris borers next year. Clean up iris beds anytime after we get a hard frost when female moths are no longer laying eggs.

Insecticide
A well-timed insecticide application can help reduce an iris borer infestation. Two options are acephate (Orthene) or spinosad (Bulls-Eye). It is important to time the application when eggs are just hatching. This is approximately when new growth is about four to six inches high. A repeat treatment 10-14 days after the first application may be necessary.

Natural
Beneficial nematodes are a natural option to help control some boring insects. These nematodes are microscopic worms that seek out and kill the caterpillars by introducing a bacteria. Research results using nematodes have been inconsistent, although they can potentially be effective in reducing iris borer populations.

Two species of nematodes are commercially available from natural garden supply catalogs or your local garden center. Both species (Heterorhabditis and Steinernema) have been shown to attack iris borer. Nematodes need a moist environment to survive and move. The easiest time to apply is during a rain shower. Lacking rain, water iris before and after applying nematodes. Apply nematodes when iris leaves are almost fully expanded but before flowering. Repeat the treatment approximately one week later. Nematodes are perishable; check the label for the expiration date.

Rolly poly bugs eat decaying matter & like wet places, so water Iris early enough so the ground drys by P.M. & remove debris. Sprinkle Diatomaceous Earth or hot pepper(Cayenne) on the ground around the base of the Iris.

Answer 2

i think of what we've right here's a confusion approximately distinctive styles of irises. maximum bulb businesses sell dutch iris basically. The dutch irises that are spindly and (frequently) a deep indigo blue and that have no beards DO must be chilled. maximum of those dutch iris have bulbs that they've appear like chives bulbs do, all slender pointy and shallot-like. The bulbs must be company. those must be planted 2.5 cases their vertical top. Bulb businesses on occasion sell rhizomes of bearded irises in extra to dutch irises. Their leaves are thick and spear formed and strengthen like followers, the flowers are super and considerable and that they've beards on their lips. The rhizomes appear like clean ginger does interior the food market, and that they ought to be extremely squidgy and in lots of cases have rooties popping out of the eyes on the backside. those could properly be planted at any time and must be shallow to the soil, often protruding of it.

Answer 3

did them all up and dry them out and save what you can