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Bearded Iris problem

18 years ago

Last year I dug up my tall bearded iris bed, about 4 feet by 7 feet, because of over crowding and iris borers. I tossed out all the bad ones, washed the good ones, added some compost to the bed, worked it in good, re-planted and cut them back.... I've been doing it this way, every time they become over crowded, for close to 20 years. Apparently they're getting tired of my routine... lol This year I had a total of 3 blooming stalks, one of which was only 1-1/2 feet tall..... ( They're usually closer to 4 feet tall and I usually get one or two stalks per plant. )

My questions are: Should I leave them alone and hope for the best next year? Should I move them to another area of the yard? ( I hope not... lol ) Is there something I can do to ensure a better showing next year?

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Comments (7)

irisfan
18 years ago
Usually if we have any bloom at all the first year we consider it a bonus, If you don't have any bloom to speak of next year then you might want to move them, also did you add super phosphate to the area when you replanted them?
ritaotay
Original Author
18 years ago
Oh.... Mine have always bloomed the year after being transplanted... Hmmm..... No, I didn't use any super phosphate. I usually shy away from using any chemicals because I usually toss the stuff out after reading the label. lol Is it something I can use without dressing up like a hazardous material handler? lol

Rita
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njiris
18 years ago
Superphospate is not a hazardous chemical, as far as I know.
You could try alfalfa pellets...they sell them in feed supply stores...as food for horses and other animals. That is totally natural, but if you try this, do not get the ones with corn mixed in...just 100% pure afalfa. You have to get a 50 lb bag, and work it into the soil. Last year we did 4 50 lb bags for a bed 10 x 80 (approx) and it did wonders for an old tired bed.
Laetitia
Sparaxis
18 years ago
Superphosphate is basically the same as bird pooh. It is hogh in phosphates which irises need. It used to be 'mined'- dug out of (or off) the ground in areas where birds large flocks of birds have lived for many years - generally sea birds. I am not sure how it is produced these days.
ritaotay
Original Author
18 years ago
Isn't that always the way... The birds around here poop on everything BUT my irsies... LOL

Thank you much! I'll pick up some super phosphate or alfalfa pellets this weekend...

I've been wondering though... When I re-panted last year the compost I used was mostly chopped up oak leaves... Do you think that might have had something to do with it?

Thanks,
Rita
suenh
18 years ago
Oak leaves tend to be on the acid side. Add something like lime for calcium and raising the pH.
ritaotay
Original Author
18 years ago
Well, looks like I may have to dig them up again this year.. I raked up what compost I could and discovered that some of the rhizomes appear to have been some critter's diner... These aren't little bug bites, looks as though a squirrel or rabbit took bites out of the rhizomes... With some it's just the tips and others are about half gone.

I'm really not sure what to do. The leaves are nice and healthy and the rhizome are still firm... I'm hoping all will be well next year but.... Well I'll just cry if I end up with only three blooming stalks next year... Any suggestions?

Rita

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