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irises

naomi.gaffneynaomi.gaffney Posts: 24
in Problem solving
I am wondering why my irises didn't flower last year and this year is not looking too promising either!  Thanks

Posts

  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 10,919
    We have the same problem Naomi.
    They need to be lifted, separated and re-planted so that the rhizome is on the surface of the soil and gets as much sun as possible.
    It's only when the rhizomes get enough space and sun they flower.
    I have a big patch of White City iris that have no flowers this year for the same reason.
    I had intended splitting them 2 years ago in July, but it was so dry I couldn't get a fork in the ground, and the same last year.
    there's an article here that may help-
    https://www.gardenersworld.com/how-to/grow-plants/how-to-divide-iris-rhizomes/

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 53,942
    Yes - they badly need dividing.
    Discard the central piece, and keep the healthy, outer sections. As long as you have some roots, and some viable top growth, they will come away.
    You may need to wait a while for flowers to develop.
    As @Pete.8 says, they need a good baking from the sun to help them. I've largely given up on them although I love them. Too much effort to try and get them enough sun, although annoyingly, in the last couple of years they would probably have done well!
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 10,919
    Last year I got this-


    This year not a single flower stem :(

    As they haven't flowered this year, I'll divide them soon rather than wait until July.

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • naomi.gaffneynaomi.gaffney Posts: 24
    Thank you, Pete
    So you are suggesting that I divide them in the next few weeks, they have only been down about 5 years but they were gorgeous to start off with, yours look fabulous.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 53,942
    They need dividing about every three years or so  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 10,919
    Lovely flowers Naomi
    It's usual to divide them about 6 weeks after flowering, so around July for me, but the last 2 summers have been so dry I didn't attempt it.
    On the basis that the plants aren't stressed this year by having to produce flowers I'm going to divide mine soon as we've had enough rain to get a fork in the soil.
    In the past when I've divided them they flower well the following year and usually need to be divided about every 3 years.
    It's key to get as much sun on the rhizomes as possible.

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • naomi.gaffneynaomi.gaffney Posts: 24
    Thank you for these helpful suggestions.  I notice that you play the piano, great, as I play the viola and I am also a dog lover.  I am about to post another query on this forum, I have a lot to learn!
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 10,919
    Maybe a duet one day when this is all over Naomi  accompanied by our dogs :)
    Not playing my piano much atm - practicing Beethoven Pathetique sonata and the E above middle C has stopped working! - it's also dreadfully out of tune now too...
    I'll have a lot of catching up to do when I can finally get it fixed.
    Thank goodness I've got my garden to keep me occupied.

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • naomi.gaffneynaomi.gaffney Posts: 24
    I love the Pathetique, you must be pretty good!  I accompany my string pupils at their lessons and for exams but I only go up to Grade 5 as then it starts to get more challenging for me.
    Yes, I feel for those who don't have a garden at the moment as its lovely to be out in the fresh air.
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