Questions

Hi all,
I have a few questions. A couple of weeks ago, our Lowes put all their bulbs on 75% off, included in that was alot of bearded irises. I bought several and they are just the dried bulb/root. I have only one that has just started blooming the last couple of years, so don't know that much about irises..
My ?:
1. When is the best time to plant them here (8b)?
2. Would they do ok in a 1 gal pot? (we are prob. moving in the next 6 m. to yr.)
3. How long before they bloom?
Any other suggestions/help would be appreciated?
Thanks for your help.

Well, I was looking at the packages and it says bloom time Feb-Mar, soooooo I think I may be too late to plant. The one I have always blooms in the summer. Any suggestions?

There are several members from your area who could advise
you as to planting time. I have kept a few irises in pots over
winter and they did just fine if prevented from hard freezing
by bringing them into my garage.

If you plan to move within a year, you would do just as well
by planting them about 1 foot apart to see which survive.
You could wait to dig them until the last few days before you
move. You would then only have a box of healthy, green
leaf rhizomes instead of a bunch of pots to cart around.

The most important factor in planting irises is the soil and
location where they are planted. Well-drained beds are
necessary to keep the rhizomes from drowning or rotting.
If it is not convenient to prepare the good bed, it would be
best to pot them.

Mix a batch of 10% bleach/90% water and soak them for
up to 4 hours before you plant them. That will rejuvenate
their moisture and sterilize them from some of the more
common diseases.

I would just place them on top of the soil and cover them
with about 2 inches of light, sandy soil since they are very
dry and will not need sunlight until they begin to put out new
leaves and roots. Then brush away the excess soil until the
top of the rhizome is exposed to the sun. They must have
direct sunlight and good ventilation in order to grow to full
size. Unlikely to have blooms the first year from planting
in the early spring but that is not an issue since you plan to
move them anyway. A good healthy iris planted during
July in my area 5b/6a can bloom the following late spring
about 50% of the time.

So the rhizome just needs to be slightly above ground?

They do not need to be above the ground for normal growth.
Since the irises you mentioned are sure to have dead roots
and leaves, there is no point in trying to plant them in a hole
with the top of the rhizome exposed to the sun. Placing them
flat or slightly pushed into the soil will ensure they do not end
up completely covered when they begin to grow. The mound
of earth on them can be adjusted later to the point where about
a third of the rhizome is exposed. The rhizome is an extension
of a plant stem and requires sunlight in order to grow and put
out annual increases (new sprouts). I found that removing all
soil from the top of a rhizome almost doubles the number of
new growth.

There are other issues involving soil settling in pots and beds
that recommend the rhizome be initially planted as shallow as
possible but, for one year, don't be concerned about them.

I have always said there are more irises killed with kindness
than with neglect so you should do fine if you stick with the
basics. Good luck and post some pics when they begin to
grow.

Thank you very much

GAgirl1066 -

did you buy those Lowe's irises? Hopefully you didn't. I am familiar with their products. Please don't.

Bearded irises are routinely harvested in summer, most after July 1st. They arrive at our Lowe's in late June, early July. The ones you saw have been out of the ground a very long time. And they have been out of the ground, you can tell, 3 weeks or more at the Lowe's when they arrive. Here, over half their stock is already so dry there's no green showing. For best results, you want the iris barerooted when dormant (summer) and out of the ground not more than 1 week.

If you did buy....please be aware that what Lowe's carries are juvenile plants - babies. They are not large enough to have the necessary energy (stored carbs in the rhizome) to bloom any time soon. Think two years, or three. Having them totally dry out depletes their energy further. Thus you should anticipate a very much higher than normal failure rate.

Also be aware that they are almost all very old common varieties, for which juvenile plants that size are worth, fresh, about $0.50 each.

One last comment: wholesellers of irises are notorious for labeling anything that "looks right" with the given name of the most popular iris that looks similar. You have a higher chance of not receiving the plant you thought you bought than any other way of purchase!

This is one case where you get what you pay for.

Bearded irises are also planted in late summer, early fall. Ones you buy direct from the growers (dozens of places online) should grow better, bloom the first spring.

Your's blooms in summer? you up in the appalachians? mine are done blooming by Mother's day!

bonjon,
Yes they were from Lowes, but I only paid .75 or $1.00 a piece so if they don't make it, no great loss. I just bought them because they were marked down. I am not into irises, they are really pretty, but just don't do much for me. The one I do have has bloomed in the summer and I live at the very bottom of GA. I do have one that I planted it the ground a couple of years ago that I forgot about, it has never bloomed. well I may give these a good soak and see if anything comes of it. I think I will plant them in one of those long containers and them I will have them all together. Thanks for the info. That is why if you are wanting an actual plant, it is better to buy from a reputable dealer.

give them a LOT of pot room if you are going to pot. most folks say at least a 10" diameter pot.