It is my understanding that the water iris can handle dry soil once they become settled in their new spot. I have Siberians & the other type of water iris, can't think what it is. Anyway, both seem to handle drought well, although they might bloom better if they had more water. I was told to water them in well until they adapted to their new home, a few months or so. I only have one type of actual Japanese iris, but they are in an area that gets more water, so don't know about them.

Hi Rebel One! How are things over there in Durant? I generally do not cut back foliage unless it is diseased or something. Well, I do cut it back when I divide my irises ever;y third year or so. I have tried it both ways and couldn't really tell a difference in the following year's growth and/or flowering whether they were cut back or not. For what it is worth, lots and lots of my neighbors in Fort Worth grew irises when I was a kid, and none of them cut back the foliage and their plants always looked marvelous. Now, as to why they are not flowering, the most common reason is that they are overcrowded and need to be dug and divided. Dividing irises keeps the clumps from becoming too large and crowding out surrounding plants. Dividing also rejuvenates them and encourages them to grow better and bloom more. Also, dividing them gives you more plants. You dig and divide most plants in the season opposite their bloom period, so it is best to dig and divide spring-blooming irises in the fall. When you divide them, cut back 2/3's of the foliage and plant the clumps a decent distance apart so they have lots of room to regrow. I bet dividing the clumps will give you tons of flowers the next year. The only other reason I can think of that you would not be getting many blooms per plant would be that they are in heavy shade. Dawn

Some parents don't want to talk to their children about their finances. In certain instances I can understand why. But retiree's still need to make arrangements for their later years so they don't end up having strangers decide who will care for them and where they will live when they can no longer choose for themselves. I picked up the following book at the library. Scary stuff. Provides all the right reasons why its better to make ANY plans rather than none at all. The Retirement Nightmare: How to Save Yourself from Your Heirs and Protectors : Involuntary Conservatorships and Guardianships (Golden Age Series) (Paperback)ISBN-10: 1573927961 by Diane G. Armstrong Ph.D.

I can never come up with good suggestions for me for Christmas. I would never ask for anything expensive and if there is something I want or need for $25 or less, I go buy it myself. As for my mother, everyone gives her bottles of liquor for Christmas. She has a drink every day, so by the next year, she is ready for more. I am getting her some coupons for the car wash. Sexy, huh? When I go to the mall and see all the useless crap for sale, it makes me sick. What a waste of natural resources and money, plus it mostly ends up in a landfill in the end. People buying just for the sake of buying, not out of any true need for the item. As far as charitable donations in my name, I like that idea but I wish people would give to something I care about rather than what they care about. Oh well.