posted
I have just moved to a new home. One side of the house has a bed planted full of iris bulbs, but only 1 bulb bloomed last spring. What is the problem and how can I get my irises to bloom?
Plants: 8 | From: Texas | Registered: Jan 2004
| Seeded: 209.223.14.124
posted
They get about 4 hours of afternoon sun. And I did divide them some at the end of the summer as I thought they might be too crowded. I don't know what you are talking about with the link on spring. I didn't post a link. Of course, I'm new here and just getting used to this forum, so I may have done something and didn't know it.
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sraye, Rhu's right about the depth, if you plant them too deep, they'll grow, but they won't flower Also, did you check them for any softness in the rhizomes? Sometimes iris bore's get in there, and cause some stress.. Also, did you over fertilize them? They don't much care for too much (or a high nitrogen fertilizer, stick with 5-10-10's if you use those liquid fertilizers), or things like compost ON TOP of their rhyzomes, they like it in the dirt when the bed is made up first... (I learned that the hard when when I first started growing the, nothing on top of their rhyzomes... ) Also, what time of year did you move them, that can also effect the bloom, and I'd wait til next year to see? If you dig them within a month or up to six weeks before the bloom time is more than likely going to affect the bloom but the plant will do fine. So, it'll grow nicely that year but expect the blooms the next year.
Has that info helped any?? Let us know if you need anymore info... Weezie
You know we've got alot of Texan's here, I hope you'll enjoy chatting with them, there's Peppermintlily, Njoynit, WildTxflower, oh, a bunch more have just joined!!!!
* * * * Weezie
Don't forget to be kind to strangers. For some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it. - Bible - Hebrews 13:2
posted
Thanks for the info. These irises were here when I moved here last spring. I waited until summer's end to divide them. None of the rhizomes (sp?) felt soft, so I don't think it is bores. They did seem awfully crowded though. I haven't fertilized them yet either, other than topping the bed with some mulch at summer's end. I don't think there much I can do about the amount of sun they get. It is heavily wooded where I live. I did take out some trees for my garden area I am designing, and its on that side of the house, so I may get more light there this spring. Thanks for your help.
Plants: 8 | From: Texas | Registered: Jan 2004
| Seeded: 209.223.14.40
I have iris growing all around the house. I never fertilize them. The ones that get only four hours of sunlight do fine. I have noticed that my dark purple beardeds may skip a year's blooming every so often. I don't know whether it is due to stress or natural cycles. Maybe they just need a break sometimes. But they bloom again the following year. I bet yours will bloom again this spring.
If I might make a suggestion: take the mulch off. The tops of the rhizomes really do want to be exposed to the sunlight. One garden writer I read says to think of the rhizomes as dog's paws and let the tops be above the earth and the claws be below ground. That seems to owrk for me.
posted
Thanks for the info Bess. The mulch I have on top of my iris bed is very thin, but I will take your advice and remove it before spring. Even though I have divided and thinned outthe bed, I plan to thin it out a little more,just in case.
Wait 'til August before thinning it again. The center of the rhizome grouping is the part most likely to be spent, and should be tossed out.You'll be able to tell by the lack of growth activity on the central "dog paws".
Oh, to be smelling those irises out there right now!
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