- How much water does the iris need?
- How often should the iris be transplanted?
- When and how is the iris cut?
- Does the iris need care and fertilization?
- How are irises overwintered?
- tips and tricks
Once properly planted, irises require little maintenance in your own garden. However, you should definitely pay attention to the location requirements of the respective subspecies so that there are no symptoms of deficiency or a less than splendid flowering period.
The yellow iris, marsh iris, needs a lot of water
How much water does the iris need?
The iris species are divided into the following subcategories:
- the beard iris
- the steppe iris
- the swamp iris
While you should plant the types of swamp iris in soil that is as moist as possible, the steppe iris and the decorative bearded iris also tolerate very dry locations. Since the sun-loving plants can store a lot of moisture in their tubers, watering by the gardener is only necessary during long dry periods or when growing in pots.
How often should the iris be transplanted?
As long as your irises feel comfortable in one location and produce enough flowers, you don't necessarily need to transplant them. However, division in connection with transplanting is a suitable measure for propagation and for stimulating lazy Irish cricket to grow new roots and form flowers.
When and how is the iris cut?
If the roots are not cut back, you do not need and should not cut back the leaf mass of the iris in autumn. However, if you shorten the fine roots of the tubers when dividing them, you must also shorten the leaves by about half to ensure a balanced energy budget for the plants.
Does the iris need care and fertilization?
In a suitable location, the clumps of the iris can develop their flowering splendor for up to ten years or even longer without special care. From time to time you can loosen up the soil around the rhizomes to care for them. However, you should not dig too deep so as not to damage the fine roots. Irises also grow on extremely poor soil, but can be fertilized with a complete fertilizer just before flowering.
How are irises overwintered?
Irises are hardy and overwinter in the open in this country without any problems. However, they must not be covered with mulch (€239.00) or any other winter protection, otherwise there is a certain risk of rotting.
tips and tricks
Dividing the rhizomes can give the irises an impulse to have more flowers, but immediately after dividing it can take a year or two before they bloom.