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Iris planted as was in pot, is this right?

16 years ago

Hi: I purchased an iris pallida, it's beautiful, but after reading up on irises I keep hearing about planting the rhizome above ground? I got this in a pot and planted it just as it was growing in the pot. Haven't seen any of the rhizome since then, nor during transplanting. Should I dig it up and plant it better. How do you keep the rhizome about ground, shouldn't it have some dirt on it, to keep it from drying out? I'm very new to irises, so thanks for any help you can give me.

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Comments (4)

bullthistle
16 years ago
Half of the rhizome should be out of the ground. Just go out and remove the excess soil from around the plant.

Here is a link that might be useful: Propagating Perennials
laurief_gw
16 years ago
As long as the top of the rhizome is within 1/2" of the soil surface, you don't need to dig it up and replant it. If it's deeper than that, though, you should replant so that the top of the rz is at or slightly below the soil surface. If it's planted too deeply, the iris may refuse to bloom for you.
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Outofspite----YOU ARE RIGHT. Actually, I used too much. I think our winters are colder here too. It rained and the crystals swelled up and then it went to a deep freeze. The pot didn't actually explode, so much as split open in many places. Nancy - I have also used rocks. They are free and work perfectly. Do you have any new construction going up near you? I'm sure there are loads of rock and brick bits you could pick up. Since workplaces have become so casual,I don't have pantyhose anymore. If you have 'em, use 'em. I would just suggest that you would never need to buy something for this purpose. I mean, you're just blocking a hole. Broken dishes work just as well as long as there is no lead or mercury in them. I throw everything I break into a bin in the garage. I think I have a lifetime supply.
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Thank you everyone for following up on my Iris' pics. I'm definitely new at this and to have some bloom first Spring after planting them and to be so BIG, well that just fascinates and tickles me! I wanted to post a follow up to my pictures. Those other pictures were taken yesterday and when I went outside at 6:00am today (EST), I had the most beautiful surprise waiting to greet me on my front stoop (porch), see for yourself....
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Probably won't bloom this year. Almost all buds are up already. You can tell for sure by gently placing your index and forefinger around the main fan or fans and sliding down. A 'pregnant' fan will have a slight bulge, from which a bloom stalk will emerge. Peat moss and Miracle Grow make for an acidy environment, and bearded iris do not like acid. I would use a bulb food fertilizer, possibly a little compost and forego the miracle grow. Also make sure there is sufficient drainage (you can add sand to the potting mixture, and make sure there is a hole in the bottom of the pot. Do not overwater). If you give it a large enough pot, good drainage and plenty of sun it should bloom for you next year. Laetiita
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I agree, pots should work, if they have good drainage. Sinking the pots in the ground might cause them to not drain as well though, imho. The main thing in our zone, is that they are planted early enough in the fall, to put down good roots that will anchor them from heaving with the many freezes and thaws in the winter. I have planted too late before and learned my lesson when they heaved.
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mad_gallica (z5 Eastern NY)
16 years ago
Where are you? If you are east of the Appalachians, dig it up and replant it higher. Bearded iris aren't like most other plants. They like to dry out now and then, and if they don't, they can rot. Since in general, it gets drier the further west you go, the further west you live, the less of an issue this is. If like me, you live in a place where it rains, and the local iris society sends you rot warnings in April, you can literally spend your entire existence as a bearded iris grower trying to figure out how to keep the little dears dry. Straight pallida isn't bad, and usually increases at least as much as it rots. Variegated pallida is one of my enemies because it rots much faster than it grows.
mike_g_
16 years ago
Laurie is right on. Rhizome does not have to be above ground and I live in a rainy area. After planting the iris will grow where it wants to.

Mike G

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