How do you care for Iris reticulata?
They will only require water in spring if it is warm and the soil is dry. Leave the bulbs planted in the ground throughout the year. After flowering, allow the leaves and stem to fully die back or turn yellow before removing it, as this is feeding the bulb for next year. After irises have flowered, you can deadhead them to make the plant look tidy, but let the foliage die down naturally as this provides energy for the plant. In the autumn or spring, cut back dead foliage to ground level. If bearded iris clumps are overcrowded, divide these around six weeks after flowering.In mid summer, when the plants begin to look ratty, cut all the foliage down by half to create “fans” of leaves. Always cut at an angle. At the end of the growing season, after the leaves have been killed by a few fall frosts, completely remove all foliage. Most of iris diseases overwinter on the leaf debris.When iris reticulata bulbs are happy where they are growing, they will multiply and it’s possible for them to become overcrowded. If this happens, the quality of the flowers may begin to suffer. To divide the bulbs, dig them up in late summer and split them apart.Cutting Back Iris For Winter The foliage of bulbous types dies back early in the spring and should be left as long as possible. This is the time when the bulb stores energy for next season’s blooming. Cut down the leaves to within 4-6 inches of the soil, and compost if there are no signs of disease or pests.
Can Iris reticulata grow in containers?
As with most Spring Bulbs, Reticulata Irises do great in pots. Make sure your pot is at least 20cm deep, and has good drainage holes. Select a good quality potting mix, and add a little compost in. Problem #1: Planting Your Bearded Iris Too Deep This is one of the most common reasons that Bearded Iris do not grow or produce the big, fabulous blooms they’re known for. Bearded Iris rhizomes should not be buried completely underground, but instead, they should remain exposed at the surface.In mid summer, when the plants begin to look ratty, cut all the foliage down by half to create “fans” of leaves. Always cut at an angle. At the end of the growing season, after the leaves have been killed by a few fall frosts, completely remove all foliage. Most of iris diseases overwinter on the leaf debris.Poor rhizomes or bulbs are often the cause of no flowers. If these are mushy, rotten, small, and under formed, then the result is stunted plants with few or no blooms. Also, the plant needs well-drained soil in full sun for flowers to be produced. Irises in shady locations may fail to form blooms.Irises don’t like high-nitrogen fertilizers, because they encourage soft growth that is prone to rot. Use a balanced 10-10-10 or low-nitrogen 5-10-10 fertilizer, or a superphosphate. Apply lightly in the early spring and again about a month after blooming is done. Sprinkle it around the rhizome, not on top of it.
Do Iris reticulata come back each year?
If you hope for them to come back year-after-year they should be planted in well-drained soil that dries out in summer. This is because the original Iris reticulata hail from Turkey, Iran, Iraq and the Caucasus, where they might typically be found flowering along the snowline on a remote mountainside. What are common mistakes to avoid when cutting back irises? Avoid over-pruning your irises and don’t make the mistake of cutting them back too early in the season. If you cut back too much or too early, you are removing the leaves that provide energy to the iris and the plant may weaken.For best results grow Iris reticulata in well-drained soil in full sun. Plant the rhizomes 5-10cm apart at twice their own depth. To propagate new stocks, divide bulbs from mid-summer to early autumn.For maximum flowers, iris rhizomes need to be warmed by the sun in August and September. Avoid overcrowding of plants as this shades the rhizomes, meaning few or no flowers next year. If a bed has looked poor the previous May, try a light mulch of compost in November.What happens if you don’t cut back irises? The iris plant will produce fewer blooms and can become susceptible to diseases and pests when it’s not properly cut back.Late July through mid August is the best time to plant, move or divide iris. Iris is one of the most popular perennials in the garden and easy to grow.
Is Iris reticulata easy to grow?
Easily grown in average, medium, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. Soil needs to stay relatively dry in summer in order for the bulbs to set buds for the following year. Plant bulbs 3-4” deep and space 3-4” apart in fall. When, Where and How to Plant Bearded Iris Rhizomes: For best results, Iris should be planted in July, August or September. It’s imperative that the roots of newly planted Iris be well-established before the growing season ends. In areas with hot summers and mild winters, September or October planting may be preferred.Plant the bulbs at 7cm (3in) apart and 7cm (3in) deep. Iris reticulata and Iris histrioides are lovely growing in shallow bulb trays topped with foraged moss – a pretty display for the doorstep.Iris will grow in deep shade, but probably not flower. Provide your irises with good drainage. A raised bed or planting on a slope are ideal places to plant iris.Iris rhizomes should be planted in August. Only use mulch sparingly during the growing season. Top dress the soil with s phosphorus rich fertilizer (ex: 10-20-10) each spring.
How often should I water Iris reticulata?
How often to water your Netted iris. Netted iris needs 0. Divide at the right time of year, after flowering, when irises become dormant during late summer, reducing the chance of bacterial soft rot. Avoid dividing during winter when irises are trying to survive on stored energy in their rhizomes. Snip the leaf blades to about one third of their height.It can tolerate a wide range of soil types, but the key is good drainage to prevent the bulbs from rotting. Sunlight: Iris reticulata needs at least half a day of full sun to bloom properly. The more sun, the better. Water: Water the bulbs thoroughly after planting and during their growing season, but do not overwater.Once established, irises should be watered when the top three inches of soil dry out. The watering frequency will depend to a great extent on your environment. Over watering of Irises is a common mistake. After planting, water well and continue watering until the first good rain.If your landscape is too far north or too dry, walking iris may not thrive outdoors. Happily, it also makes an excellent houseplant. Keep your plant in a bright window, but out of direct sunlight, and water frequently, or the tips of the leaves will brown and droop.Trim Iris foliage to a height of about 6 inches. A clean garden will help prevent the spread of various fungal diseases and can discourage overwintering pests from building nests. Evergreen boughs or straw make a good winter protection for Iris, particularly in areas with especially harsh winters.
Do Iris reticulata multiply?
When iris reticulata bulbs are happy where they are growing, they will multiply and it’s possible for them to become overcrowded. If this happens, the quality of the flowers may begin to suffer. To divide the bulbs, dig them up in late summer and split them apart. While bearded irises are beautiful, they do require moderate levels of maintenance. One important chore is to divide bearded irises. If not divided, the plants become overcrowded and flower production decreases. Crowded plants are also more prone to foliar diseases.Virtually all types of iris can be successfully grown in containers. The smaller bulbous Dutch hybrid cultivars require the least amount of maintenance and are easily added to mixed seasonal containers.If Iris are allowed to become too crowded the bloom will suffer, some varieties may crowd others out and disease problems may be aggravated. Depending on your location, July through September is the time to divide and transplant Bearded Iris.Although irises can be transplanted at any time, they do best when established in the landscape from August to mid-October, said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein.Mid-summer, from mid-July to early-September, is the best time to divide and move iris, after plants have bloomed. This ensures adequate root growth and establishment before winter. So if your iris bed has become too thick or is producing fewer flowers, then plan to divide and conquer!