giving irises another try

19 years ago

hi, i had a bunch of old irises strewn around my yard that have never bloomed - i assumed this was for any number of reasons, planted too deep, not enough sun, too young. i was a novice gardener when i planted them. i think they are bearded irises but can't be sure..

last fall, i dug them all up, and potted them and overwintered them in my garage. this year early spring, i planted them in their new bed, full sun, amended soil, rhizomes at right height, trying not to disturb the soil around the roots.

is there any chance they will bloom this year? is there anything i can do, fertilizer or otherwise to help them along this year? i so would like to add some liquid high-phosphate fertilizer to kick start them but not sure that would be beneficial or just promote rot. i already mixed some espoma bulbtone granules into the soil. i would have mixed some natural compost into the soil except my compost pile is not ready yet..

any thoughts? thanks for your advice..

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Comments (6)

iris_gal
19 years ago
Doubt you will see bloom this year.

Since you added bulb food to the soil recently, do not add more until next spring (unless you have very sandy soil). Bearded iris rhizomes are not a plant you can heavily feed/water for a 'kick start'.

After I plant with granular fertilizer/bonemeal added below, I really soak the bed. Then no water for a month!
kitova
Original Author
19 years ago
sounds good! i had been doing just as you recommended - fertilized/soaked bed then no watering for last 3 weeks. so i will be patient and wait... thanks for the advice.
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billjoebob
19 years ago
Hello,

I got a feeling the reason they didn't bloom in their old location was they needed separating. That's usually the reason iris do not bloom. They really arent picky about soil or even depth for that matter. They really don't like weeds around them. But they need to be separated every 3 yrs.
graceva
19 years ago
Don't kill them with kindness. Iris are a hardy lot.
kitova
Original Author
19 years ago
hi guys! well i followed your advice and kept away from them for a while. no overwatering, no more fertilizer and just left them alone.

just this weekend, i noticed a tiny bloom at the base of one of my irises! it is a weird one, it was so short and still hidden like an underdeveloped growth just barely poking out from between the middle V of the fan of leaf-straps. it was no taller than 2 inches off the ground.

that settles it then! they simply didn't have enough sun before. what a pleasant surprise. i'm convinced they are happy with their current location and one of them is obviously showing me so. i'm so glad i transplanted them in their current home where they get true full sun!
shapiro
19 years ago
Hello Kitova: "Real" gardening teaches us patience above all things. Some people buy big plants and stick them in according to a pre-ordained plan and - there you are! That's not "real" gardening, to my way of thinking. You have put in the legwork for your iris bed - now wait and see what one year will bring! I predict a spectacular difference. Good for you!