Iris ∗ The 10 best care and planting tips

Plant the iris correctly

At the end of July, the time window opens at Irises to plant in the bed. Plant the tubers in a sunny, sheltered spot in the nutrient-rich, well-drained soil until October. To do this, follow these steps:

Create small pits at a distance of 25 to 40 centimeters with a depth of 2-3 centimeters
Enrich the excavation with compost or guano
Insert one rhizome with roots pointing downwards
Half of the tuber must still be visible

Care tips

Professionally planted in the optimal location, the flower requires little care. A well-rooted iris is content with natural rainfall and a minimal amount of nutrients. The details at a glance:

Water the flower in summer drought
In March / April at the start of the season with compost, Horn shavings(€ 32.93 at Amazon *) or guano(€ 9.82 at Amazon *) fertilize
If there are deficiency symptoms, fertilize again organically
Cut off a wilted flower up to 10 cm above the ground
Do not remove the leaves until autumn

Rejuvenation by means of division is recommended every 3 to 4 years so that each individual flower retains its vitality for a long time.

Which location is suitable?

The central criterion for choosing a location for all iris species is a sunny, sheltered location with as many hours of sunshine as possible per day. Exceptions confirm the rule, such as the Siberian meadowIriswho prefers a partially shaded place. This is followed by the requirements for the soil quality, which are to be determined appropriately for the favored variety. So you are correct:

Fresh-moist to sandy-dry soil
Rich in nutrients and humus
Good drainage
Neutral to slightly calcareous pH

Due to its voluminous tuber, the elegant flower is only suitable for the bucket if it is a dwarf iris. In this case, use a high-quality compost-based potted plant soil as a substrate, enriched with sand or Expanded clay.(€ 16.35 at Amazon *)
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What is the best time to plant?

The best time to plant irises is from July to September. The bulbous plant establishes itself in the twinkling of an eye in the sun-warm soil, so that it is deeply rooted in the ground in time for winter.
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When is the flowering time?

The central flowering time of irises extends from early May to mid / late June. At this time, the beard iris (I. barbata-elatior), which flower power is in it, followed by the Japanese splendid iris (I. kaempferi) in June and July. In the weeks before, the small iris (I. barbata-nana) their flowers towards the sun.
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Cut the iris correctly

Cut the flower in two stages. First, cut off the withered flower stalk up to 10 centimeters above the rhizome. The leaves stay on the plant until winter so that the remaining nutrients can be used. After the first frost, cut the foliage close to the ground.
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Fertilize the iris properly

Fertilize Your iris according to the minimal principle. This means that the nutrient supply is based on an organic start fertilization with compost, horn shavings or guano limited in March. If deficiency symptoms appear, such as yellowish leaves or poor flowers, give another serving of compost. Mineral Complete fertilizer are not suitable for the supply of nutrients, as the high salt content damages the sensitive tubers.
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Propagate the iris

The iris can easily be multiplied by dividing it. Choose an appointment between the end of July and the beginning of October. How to do it right:

The tuber with the spade excavate completely
Cut the rhizome into several segments with a sharp knife
Cut the fan leaves with scissors so that they form a pointed triangle
In addition, shorten the roots

Without any further delay, plant the tuber parts at the new location in such a way that half of the rhizome is visible.
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How do I transplant properly?

It acts like a makeover if you transplant the iris every 3-4 years. A day between the end of July and the beginning of October is best suited for the measure. This is how the process has proven itself:

The flower with the spade or the Digging fork excavate completely
Cut off young rhizome pieces from the old part with a knife
A tuber segment must have at least one leaf fan
Shorten the roots and trim the leaves in a wedge shape

Now select all the plump, strong pieces of tubers in order to plant them in the new location. The most important criterion is again that a rhizome is still visible after transplanting. Leave the foliage on the iris until the first frost so that the nutrients can still be drawn in.
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Is the iris poisonous?

When it comes to assessing the toxicity, the yellow iris, also known as the swamp iris, becomes the center of interest. This species is more common in the wild along waterways and is a protected species. That is a good thing, because there are hot substances in your plant pathways that can cause nausea and vomiting when consumed. Since this flower does not taste particularly good, dogs, cats, horses and grazing cattle are particularly affected.
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Iris does not bloom

If the iris no longer wants to bloom, the following vitalization treatment gives it fresh strength:

Dig up the entire flower between July and October
Cut off young parts that have grown back from the old rhizome
A section has at least one fan leaf
Shorten the leaves in a wedge shape and cut off roots that are too long
Optimize the soil with compost and horn shavings (no complete fertilizer)

The leached pieces of tubers are disposed of on the compost. Plant the fresh parts in such a way that they stand a little above the ground.
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The iris in the garden

In the garden, an iris gives its best if you assign the flower a sun-drenched, air-bathed location. The soil should be slightly calcareous, humus and well drained. Plant a tuber in a 3 centimeter deep pit between July and October. If you can still see the rhizome afterwards, you've done everything right. How to care for the flower in the garden with expertise:

Water when dry
In March / April fertilize with compost and horn shavings
Cut off a wilted flower stem up to 10 cm
Leave the foliage on the rhizome until winter
Winter protection is not required

If the flower no longer wants to bloom in the bed, dig up the tuber and divide the young segments with at least one fan leaf. Then plant the iris back in the new location.
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Plant the iris

As a bulbous plant, the iris requires rethinking if you are to plant the flower properly. Only put the rhizome deep enough into the soil that half or a third of it is still visible. This premise also applies to planting in a tub. Finally, press the substrate firmly with your hands and pour on.
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Divide the iris

Dividing an iris is very straightforward. The weeks from the end of July to the beginning of October are considered to be the ideal time corridor for this measure. Fully dig up the rhizome of the flower and use the spade to cut it in half. Then cut the fan leaves into a wedge shape and shorten roots that are too long.

Plant the tuber segments again so that they are half or at least one third above the surface of the earth. It is important to note that the roots are directed downwards. They provide excellent growing conditions for a split iris if the excavation of the planting hole is enriched with compost or guano.
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The flower of the iris

The picturesque beauty of an iris flower is based on a unique combination of petals:

Three upright standards
Three elegant, drooping bracts, some with ruffled or fringed edges
In some species a hairy beard in the back of the flower
A stylus with three small branches forms the stamp with the anthers

Germinate the iris seeds

In order to motivate the seeds of an iris to germinate, the first step is to cut off the seed coat up to the embryo. Then you subject the light germs to a 4-5 week long cold treatment in the cold house or in the vegetable compartment of the refrigerator. In the partially shaded location, germination then begins at room temperature. It takes between 3 and 6 years for the first flowering.

Sow iris seeds

The seeds of an iris can be sown throughout the year. Hobby gardeners who are not afraid of the challenge can take these steps to work:

Let the seeds soak in water for 4-5 days
Then cut into the seed coat with a razor blade up to the embryo
Fill small pots with vermiculite or sand
Insert the seeds with the visible embryo in it
Put in the vegetable drawer of the refrigerator for 4-5 weeks

Set the sowing then at room temperature, you can look forward to the first seedlings after a few days.
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The iris in autumn

In autumn, wait for the leaves of an iris to wither completely. Until then, the tuber draws in the remaining nutrients in order to create a depot for the next season. Then remove all leaves with the Secateurs. Do not cover the flower with fleece or leaves in autumn. The iris is completely hardy.
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Is the iris hardy?

An iris is completely hardy. No special precautions are required to protect against frost and snow. Rather, a cover causes damage to the flower as the rhizome could rot.
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The most beautiful varieties

Champagne Elegance: ruffled petals in delicate apricot and ivory-colored dome radiate inimitable elegance
Fuji’s Mantle: impresses with its blue-lined hanging leaves and a bright white cathedral in May and June
Jazz Festival: two-tone, wavy flowers in cream and purple-pink surround an orange beard
Superstition: a tall beard iris with spectacular, black-blue hues for a maximum of extravagance
Diamond: the pure white flower for damp locations and large containers
Florentina: a traditional flower, the light blue bloom of which gives off a delicate scent of violets
Argentea Variegata: the variety surprises with white striped leaves and lavender-blue scented flowers
Berlin Tiger: sensational flower in tiger look, thanks to yellow-brown veined flowers
Little Rosy Wings: magnificent dwarf iris for beds and tubs with ruby-red flowers from April