Iris (Iris, Cockerels) – perennial from the rhizomatous genus. Irises can be found in almost every vegetable garden, garden and park. There are more than 700 species, which are characterized by a variety of shapes and colors.

For this reason, people called this flower rainbow. They say that since ancient times the iris was named after the goddess of the rainbow, Iris. Externally, iris flowers are very similar to orchids and have the same rich range of shades.

Varieties and types

Gained wide popularity due to the presence of shaggy hairs on the petals. This type of irises comes in different sizes (dwarf, tall, table and others).

An important point when growing is that this type of iris needs to be planted on sand. To do this, sand is poured into the bottom of the prepared hole (in a small layer) and then laid out, carefully distributing the rhizome. The planting should not be deep.

Grows up to 80 cm in height, with flowers up to 10 cm, different colors. The natural color of this species has many shades from blue to dark purple.

As for some hybrid varieties, there are:

• white ( Snow Queen ),

• pink ( Imperial Opal ),

• yellow with white trim ( Batts and Suga ).

With all this variety, there is a significant disadvantage of this type - there is no aroma at all.

(its other name is xiphoid ) has large flowers(about 25 cm in diameter), which are most similar to orchid flowers.

– one of the large species (about one meter in height), drought- and frost-resistant. The flowers are lacy, have a bright yellow center and a white (dark purple, blue-violet and others) border.

A clear difference from other species is the fact that this iris grows only in moist soil. For this reason, it is most often used to decorate ponds.

– reaches only 15 cm in height, has wide leaves and yellow or purple flowers.

(xyphyllum ) – hybrid variety, first bred in Holland. They grow to a height of no more than 50-60 cm. The flowers have different shades of petals: white, yellow, orange, blue and purple.

It is winter-hardy, but in severe winters it requires additional shelter. Often this type of irises is used for cutting, forming bouquets.

- Very interesting flower, which in Latin "spuria" means "false". It got its name for its external similarity to Dutch irises.

The main advantage is that the flowering period is longer (several weeks). The “life” period of one flower is a week.

Iris planting and care in open ground

Irises are light-loving plants, so the key to long and variegated flowering is location in a well-lit area.

When planting, it is worth considering the fact that irises are capable of moving. So in one year they can move away from their original location by several centimeters. Therefore, planting is carried out not in a standard way (in a row), but with a fan of leaves along the row. Planting conditions are different for each species.

So, for example, it is worth planting bearded irises on a piece of land where there is good illumination in the first half of the day; it is better if it is a slope or hill (for outflow melt water) and the presence of drainage. As for marsh and Siberian irises, on the contrary, they like the soil to be constantly moist.

But at the same time, all species love rich soil, therefore, if necessary, in the spring, before planting, add compost (do not use manure) and potassium-phosphorus fertilizers. If the soil is acidic, you can add a little chalk or wood ash. And of course, before planting, it is necessary to treat the area with herbicides and moisten it with a fungicide (for disinfection).

Watering irises

Water the plant only after the soil around the bush has completely dried. If there is a possibility that groundwater passes close to the surface, then it is worth taking care of drainage in advance.

The first watering is carried out immediately after planting, and the next - no earlier than three days later.

Feeding irises in spring

For lush flowering And good growth Irises, like all plants, need fertilizing and fertilizer. However, you should not use manure, as it will make the irises sick.

For feeding you should use complex mineral fertilizers containing phosphorus, nitrogen and potassium. You need to scatter it around the bushes in the spring after the irises begin to grow. After this, the ground should be watered to speed up the dissolution of the granules.

Also, do not forget that an excess of fertilizers is also very harmful to plants, as well as a lack of them; as with watering, it is better to underfeed them a little than to overfeed them. Some gardeners may object: why feed and bother with irises, because they will bloom without it. But one can argue with this.

Over the ten years of growing irises, there were periods when fertilizing was not carried out at all for about three years in a row - and the difference was very noticeable. If you use fertilizers, irises bloom more abundantly and much more luxuriantly, their flowers are brighter and larger, the leaves are healthy and glossy, and the flower stalks are strong enough that they do not break even in strong winds, and they do not require tying at all.

But the main thing is that the growth of such bushes occurs much faster. For these reasons, the answer to the question of whether to feed or not is clear - feed, but at the same time wisely and in moderation. I have already developed a feeding scheme with a complex of micro and macro elements once a season before the start of the flowering period. I notice from my irises that they like it, they grow very quickly and bloom beautifully.

Preparing irises for winter

Due to the characteristic feature of irises, which is that their root system grows horizontally, sometimes their roots are exposed above the surface, so in winter they need to be sprinkled with additional soil and peat, otherwise they will freeze. In the spring, this layer of soil is carefully removed.

Irises are absolutely not suitable for leaves, straw, corn stalks as a covering material, or any other materials under which irises may rot. It is better to use the ground for shelter. Pour a few handfuls of soil into the middle of the bush to cover the exposed rhizomes.

When snow falls, it can also be used as a shelter, additionally adding it to the iris plantings. And in the spring, after the soil dries, excess soil should be carefully distributed around the bushes. And yet, in the matter of covering irises on winter period It is impossible to give clear advice for all gardeners.

Since, when growing irises in the southern regions, you can completely do without shelter for the winter, but in the east and north of Russia, some varieties simply need preventive shelter.

Propagation of irises

There are three ways to propagate irises - by seeds, sprouts or rhizomes.

The main difference between these methods is that irises grown from seeds should bloom only in the second or third year, while flowers grown from rhizomes will bloom in the first year.

Propagation of irises by dividing the bush

When dividing a bush, only the healthiest bushes are selected. Having dug all the rhizomes out of the ground, you need to thoroughly shake off all the soil so that each root can be clearly seen, then cut into small areas, so that each part has one leaf bundle left. Leaves are cut in half.

After which it is necessary to carry out disinfection in a weak solution of potassium permanganate (dip the roots into the solution for 10-15 minutes), and dry in the sun. Plant in small holes, no deeper than 3-4 cm and at a distance of no closer than half a meter.

Vegetative propagation of iris

To propagate by sprouts, you must wait for at least one flowering of the plant, only after that you can safely use the young shoots. At the same time, it is worth cutting them off before the buds appear.

Rooting is carried out by planting in the ground in a shaded place, creating a greenhouse. If necessary, spray additionally. After 2-3 weeks, complete rooting can be observed.

Iris growing from seeds

After flowering ends, collect dried ovaries. They can be stored in boxes in a dark and dry place. In autumn, prepared seeds are planted in pots with a sandy substrate and covered with glass or polyethylene (to create a greenhouse). Closer to spring, the seedlings will sprout; they need to be thinned out.

Young growth is planted only after it has grown enough to make it convenient to plant. It is worth noting that only species irises can be propagated using this method, but with varietal irises, problems may arise with maintaining maternal characteristics.

Bacteriosis or soft rot of iris rhizomes

One of the dangerous diseases that affects irises is soft, bacterial, rhizome rot . The plant dies if the infection is severe.

Signs of this disease are rotting of the leaves at the base of the rhizomes, while the leaves remain green and simply fall out in whole fans. The rhizomes themselves turn into a foul-smelling slurry inside. Affected bushes should be completely dug up, all damaged areas should be cut out, reaching healthy tissue, and the cutting tool should be disinfected each time.

The bushes are divided, the cut areas are sprinkled with crushed coal, and then they are laid out in the sun with their rhizomes facing up for one to two days to warm them up thoroughly. You should not be afraid that the irises will dry out. Such procedures are a way of salvation for sick plants. After which the divisions that have dried and warmed up are transplanted onto new site, and water.

The soil in the contaminated area is disinfected with a solution of potassium permanganate, and the contaminated material is burned. With moderate damage to the rhizomes when the disease is noticed, it is possible to save irises in almost one hundred percent of cases.

Irises rust stains

In spring and summer periods may appear on the leaves of irises rust stains , which grow over time, causing gradual drying of the leaves. These stains spread especially quickly at high humidity.

To prevent leaf spotting, irises should be treated with fungicides in the spring at the very beginning of intensive plant growth, with mandatory repetition after ten to fourteen days to consolidate the results.

And at the beginning of the flowering period, a control treatment is carried out. It should also be taken into account that drug solutions are poorly retained on the leaves; for this reason, special adhesives should be added.

​Similar articles​

General principles of planting irises

The planting depth of irises is 2-3 cm.

If flower stalks appear in the first year, they

1. ​Standard division​
2. ​We make grooves in the bud, 5 cm deep. We place the prepared pieces of rhizome in them next to each other. Fill the furrows with light, loose soil. Water as needed. Next year you can already transplant new plants to permanent place. Cut rhizomes can be planted not in open ground, but in picking boxes. Reproduction by budding is best done at the end of July

​Growing irises is not a difficult task, but very exciting. At minimum costs labor and time and easy care you will get a lot positive emotions, admiring the multi-colored bearded splendor.​

Propagation of irises

​Therefore best time for planting irises - summer, since the growth and development of rhizomes begins 1.5 - 2 weeks after planting. At this time, the formation of flower buds has already begun, and the layering can already take root.​

​We must not forget that each piece of rhizome (each section) must be placed in a horizontal plane, taking into account the conditions of their growth in the future, since underground part the tuber will grow towards the growth of the rhizome, and leaves always grow in the above-ground part. Therefore, they must be placed in the garden bed so that the roots have room to move.​

Vegetative method of propagation

Irises should be grown in a sunny place, protected from the wind and with afternoon partial shade on loam and clay soil.

​Irises are divided by height: high - above 70 cm, medium - from 40 to 70 cm, low - about 40 cm, as well as by flowering time. Early - bloom in late spring, mid-early - in early summer, late - bloom in mid-summer.​

A necessary step in preparing the rhizome is disinfection. For this purpose, prepare a weak solution of potassium permanganate, into which the rhizome is dipped for 15 or 20 minutes. After this procedure, they need to be dried under the sun.​

​Irises - charming plant, which appeals to people of all taste preferences. Their popularity is also due to their unpretentiousness, since special care you won't need to look after them. Among flower growers, this is one of the most favorite flowers.​

​When planting in-depth, plants spend a lot of time and nutrients bringing the rhizomes closer to the soil surface. They lag behind in growth and development or die,

Propagation of irises by sprouts

​has a leaf bunch - a “fan” and a piece of rhizome, consisting of one or two annual links. The leaves are cut to a height of 10-12 cm in the form of a triangle, so as not to damage the flower

Planting irises

During flowering, we separate the sprouts without buds from the mother plant using a sharp knife, while grabbing a piece of rhizome tissue. We plant these sprouts in cold greenhouse into the shade. Spray as needed. After 2-3 weeks, the shoots take root. This method compares favorably with others in that it is possible to accurately determine the variety that we are breeding. In addition, the mother plant is not damaged. And almost 90% of the cuttings take root.​

If you have to plant irises in the fall, you should use seedlings whose flower buds have already formed. Rhizomes intended for planting should have a length of about 5 cm, a diameter of 2 to 3 cm and well-developed roots.​

​If, when planting, you place the leaves of irises across the bed, then their rhizomes will grow along it, because the rhizomes spend their life in the upper part of the soil in its horizontal plane. The roots should be horizontal and the leaf fan should be slightly tilted. If planting occurs in a nesting manner according to the patterns indicated above, then the leaves should be placed across the outlined circle.

​. Heavy soil needs to be mixed with sand and peat. On acidic soils You can add a little lime to neutralize it. If there is stagnation of moisture, then this place needs to be drained.

​Irises are perennial rhizomatous plants. Their reproduction occurs vegetatively. That part of it that is located above the ground consists of leaves and peduncles, which die off annually after flowering, and only the rhizomes overwinter. Replacement buds are located in the axils of the leaves.

​You also need to take care of the cuts. They are covered up special mixture(sulfur and coal in a 1:1 ratio). Such a treated seedling will take root well and grow intensively.​

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Classification

​To get a good result, it is important to understand how to plant irises correctly. You only need the most general information. Firstly, this plant is classified as a perennial. When planting them in open ground, there is no need to worry about even harsh winters. Irises are very resistant to cold.

Vegetative propagation

​if the soils are heavy.​

Fan formation

You can replant irises in the spring ​kidney. The roots are shortened by 2/3 of their length.​Fig. 5. Vegetative propagation of iris:​

Propagation by seeds

Lighting

​In autumn, irises should be planted in such a way that they can take root well before the onset of severe frosts. You also need to take into account how the rhizomes are located, which should be in the same plane with the ground level, and the leaves should be in a vertical position, like a fan.

Moisture

​If you are planting a whole plant, then you need to set aside a permanent place for it and not disturb it for about five years.​

​The ground under the irises is dug up to a depth of 30-35 cm, all weeds are destroyed and organic matter (rotted manure) is added to a depth of 20-25 cm.​

Distribution across the site

If during the formation process a weak fan (from 3 to 5 leaves) is formed, then the flower buds will also be weak and this plant will not bloom next year.

​After waiting for flowering to occur, using a prepared knife we ​​cut off the sprouts from the plant (we will call it the mother plant), only so that there are no buds. But you need to grab a piece of tissue from the rhizome. Such sprouts are planted under the shade, that is, the greenhouse should be cold. If necessary, you can spray.​

Place and soil

​We are interested in the so-called types of irises planted in gardens. According to the shoots, they are usually divided into two categories. We are talking about plants with vegetative and generative methods of reproduction:​ ​author G.S. Borodich, curator of iris collections

​, in April, when their regrowth begins, and when urgent need even during flowering.​

Propagation by rhizomes

​Links with good roots​

​a - rhizome extracted from the soil;

Kidney division

​On the same topic​

Disinfection of sections

The planting hole should correspond to the length of the roots. The planted plant is watered abundantly, and the wet hole is sprinkled with dry soil (so that a crust does not form). You can water it a second time after 3-4 days. Jaruiris need shade from the sun.

When to plant

In order for irises to receive proper care, they need feeding in the warm season. It must be done at least three times.​

Planting segments

​Reproduction of irises occurs mainly by dividing the rhizome into parts. Separate them with a knife - sharp and clean. When dividing the rhizome, the knife must be disinfected several times in saturated potassium permanganate.​

​Healthy bearded irises have a fan of 7-9 leaves with a waxy coating.

Planting scheme

​Sprouts take root within 2-3 weeks. This method is one of the best. Firstly, it is used to determine the variety; secondly, the mother plant does not receive damage; thirdly, about 90% of the cuttings take root.​

Landing position

The former tend to place their rhizomes underground. They are characterized by annual links. It is from them that later, in the spring, leaves will appear like a fan.

​Fig. 6. Planting bearded iris:​

Top dressing

​, but without leaves, you can not throw them away, but plant them separately, since they have dormant buds, which will begin to grow after planting. Large removed parts of rhizomes and cut leaves are best burned.​

​b, c - separated parts of the rhizome, prepared for planting

​It’s hard to find a person who doesn’t like irises. These unpretentious flowers do not require special care, which is why they are so loved by gardeners. I'll tell you how to plant irises correctly.​

Caring for irises consists of weed control, weeding, constant and generous watering and fertilizing that correspond to the development of the plant. Caring for irises also involves preventing diseases, and if necessary, treating the plant.

​The first one is done immediately after the winter shelter is removed. Nitrogen-phosphorus fertilizers are used for it, for example potassium sulfate in combination with ammonium nitrate(20 grams of each substance).​ ​Rhizome suitable for propagation consists of several (up to 3 pieces) one-year-old segments or more mature ones, with viable buds.​

Subtleties

The end of the flowering period tells us that irises can begin to be replanted. This is the first period for transplantation. The second is the end of the growing season. After all, this time is characterized by the resumption of growth of both roots and leaves. This is a moment not to be missed. After all, if you replant later, the plants will die due to the fact that they will not have the opportunity to take root.​

Summer planting

Generative shoots are characterized by the appearance of peduncles. Each of them will have flowers: eight or (much less often) eleven. It all depends on the specific variety we choose. The roots of this plant are characterized by a fibrous type. Moreover, their shape is cord-like or thread-like.

​The best varieties of hybrid iris for growing​

Autumn planting

​(right - correct, left - incorrect)​

​Cooked cuttings are disinfected

Irises are propagated by seeds and vegetatively.

Care

​Iris is a perennial plant. It easily tolerates wintering in open ground. Garden irises have two types of shoots: vegetative and generative. Vegetative shoots- This underground rhizome, which consists of annual units. Fan-shaped leaves are formed on these links. Generative shoots are flower stalks. Each peduncle produces from one to eight, sometimes eleven flowers, depending on the variety. The roots of the iris are thread-like or cord-like, fibrous. The roots of garden irises can improve the structure of the soil.​

Caring for irises includes disease prevention. Why are they treated twice a month? Treatment begins from the time when the leaves grow 10 cm in length. When the leaves are fully formed, the treatment is completed.​

Cold protection

​The second (nitrogen-potassium) is carried out four weeks after the first. Fertilizers are applied in equal parts. But if you come across rare variety and you can’t wait to propagate it, then the one-year-old rhizome can be divided into segments according to the number of buds present. You can cut both lengthwise and crosswise, but in such a way that each one must have at least one bud. In addition, irises reproduce using seeds. But propagation from seeds is ineffective and therefore unpopular. Mainly species irises can be propagated using seeds. Then there will be confidence in the preservation of their properties. When propagating varietal irises from seeds, you can have all sorts of surprises. If your soul craves creativity and experimentation, then propagating irises from seeds is just right for this.​

​The end of August - the beginning of September is considered by flower growers to be the most optimal time for planting irises. It happens that planting material was obtained after this period.​

​It’s interesting that thanks to these bushes the soil structure in your garden will noticeably improve.​

The best varieties of dwarf bearded irises for the garden

​2-3 days before landing​

​in a 0.3% solution of potassium permanganate for 10-15 minutes. The sections are sprinkled with crushed charcoal. After disinfection, planting material throughout the daylight hours

The seed method is used only when breeding new varieties or when propagating species of irises.

Garden irises reproduce both by seeds and vegetatively, that is, by dividing the rhizome. Irises are usually propagated by seeds only for hybridization. With this planting, the plant blooms only in the 2nd or even the third year. When propagated by division, garden irises bloom in the first year. In this way, both varietal and wild irises can be propagated.​

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Planting irises. Garden irises.

​One-year-old plantings of irises need to be protected from the cold with spruce branches, and in the spring they are removed.​

​The third one is done when flowering ends. To do this, use phosphorus-potassium fertilizers - such as potassium sulfate (about 25 grams) + superphosphate (about 50 grams) per 10 liters of water.​

The cut areas should be disinfected with a manganese solution and sprinkled with crushed wood ash. Plant the pieces with buds in clean sand to a depth of 3 cm.

Preparing rhizomes for planting irises

​Irises love sunny areas with good lighting. Light shade slightly harms them - flowering becomes worse, although in the heat it helps against rapid wilting. There are no flowers in the dense shade, but leaves grow.​

Planting irises

In such cases, it is recommended to plant rhizomes in pots. Temperature should be 7 or 8 degrees. We plant them in open ground in the spring. If the seedlings were planted in right time, then you should expect color in the spring. The peak of flowering of the plant (and its development in general) should be expected from the second and/or third year after planting.​

Time for planting irises and replanting irises

​When learning how to plant irises, it is important to understand the principle of their reproduction. There are two of them: the principle of dividing rhizomes or vegetative; the second type is the use of seeds. Typically, propagation by seeds is used when it comes to their hybridization. Iris bushes planted from seeds will only be able to bloom after 2-3 years. At vegetative propagation color can be expected from the first year.​

​How to use irises in landscaping​

Bud method of propagation of irises

The area is loosened and leveled with a rake. Severely acidified soils are neutralized with chalk or lime. If the soil is clayey, then add peat and sand before digging in the fall. The area is cleared of weeds as much as possible.​

​Dry in the sun, turning over periodically.​

Reproduction by sprouts

​Vegetatively, i.e. By dividing the rhizomes, both varietal and wild irises are propagated.​

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How are irises propagated by seeds and vegetatively?

Continuation of the article

An important stage in our study of how to plant irises is preparing the landing site. We form holes, in the center of which small humps are formed. They are very important, since it is on them that we will later place the rhizomes. We very delicately spread the branches of the rhizomes along the perimeter of the hole.

Transplanting irises on the site

​If we are talking about the propagation and cultivation of both varietal and wild specimens, then the vegetative method is perfect.​ ​Iris, features of growth and structure​ The planting piece is planted in the hole It is recommended to replant irises after two weeks

​When transplanting​​Preparing holes for planting irises. A small mound is made in the center. We place the rhizome on it, carefully straighten the roots to the sides. Rhizomes are planted to a depth of no more than 3 cm. The distance between flowers should be approximately 50 cm.​

​. Therefore, iris flowers that have already faded should be removed, and the peduncles should be completely broken off by hand.​One-year-old iris segments intended for propagation are shortened by 2/3 leaves and 1/3 roots and only then placed in holes. A tubercle is made at the bottom of the hole, and roots are placed on its slopes.

In severe frosts there is a danger of the rhizome dying. If a plant grows in one place for a very long time, the upper tier of roots may be damaged. In the spring this plant seems dead, but after a few weeks leaves and other roots may grow and the plant is full of life again. It can withstand late spring frosts with honor. Iris rhizomes are planted in holes, the depth of which should not exceed 3 cm. In order for the plants to grow well, a distance of half a meter must be maintained between them. Don't forget about watering if necessary.​

After dividing the iris rhizomes, only well-developed, large bushes are taken. After digging, they should be thoroughly shaken off the soil. You can divide the rhizome in any way: with a shovel, a knife, and even break it with your hands.​

​Main stages of iris development​​, into which a mound of earth is poured (​

​after flowering, when the growth processes of roots and leaves are activated, which increases their survival rate. By autumn, such plants have a bunch of beautiful green

The rhizome is dug up and broken by hand (which is preferable) or cut with a knife into planting segments (Irises are transplanted immediately after flowering ends. Or at the end of the growing season. At this time, the growth of leaves and roots resumes. If you miss this moment, then the plants do not have time to take root and simply die.​

This is done to make it easier for the irises to breathe. If the ground under them is dry, then you need to water it.

​As already mentioned, the area should be open to the sun. First, some time before planting, it should be thoroughly dug up and loosened. It will be very good for irises if you can raise the bed, making a slope south side. There is no need to add manure to it. After this, the roots need to be covered and squeezed thoroughly with your hands. The roots of irises should not be buried - this is destructive for them. They must be in the top layer of the earth. For the winter, the rhizomes should be covered with soil or peat.​

They are quite unpretentious, but the basic rules of agricultural technology must be followed.

Choosing a place for irises

Should be planted in open sunny places, protected from cold and strong winds(especially tall bearded irises). Some ( Siberian iris, swamp) tolerate slight shading.

Soil for irises

For irises Any cultivated soil is suitable, fertile, fairly light (light loam), acidity close to neutral or slightly acidic, well drained.

Plants do not tolerate stagnant water and often dry out during spring floods, so in the spring, where irises are planted, drainage grooves must be made. Excessive soil moisture is partly acceptable for Siberian And Japanese irises.

Before planting, the soil should be dug up (using a spade), and the roots and rhizomes of perennial weeds should be carefully selected. As the main fertilizer, 80-100 g per m2 should be applied.

Planting irises

Replant irises Can early spring and at the end of summer, approximately 2-3 weeks after the end of flowering, when active root growth begins. Irises grow well in one place for 4-5 years, and then they need to be replanted.

Before planting, the roots should be trimmed, leaving a length of 8-10 cm; When replanting in summer, cut off the fan of leaves by 2/s of the length. Each division should have an annual rhizome unit (the so-called blade) with a bunch of roots and a fan of leaves.

Plant irises you need to dig into the holes, straighten the roots horizontally, pressing the soil tightly around them with your hands. After planting, water the soil well. Rhizome bearded irises when planting it should be at ground level, Siberian And Japanese irises-at a depth of 3-5 cm.

Caring for irises

Requiring care. During the growing season, it is necessary to systematically loosen the soil (otherwise the irises easily rot), remove weeds, and water in dry times and especially during the flowering period.

In the spring, when the snow melts, you need to immediately turn the shelter with a pitchfork. Do not rush to remove the cover - late spring frosts can damage irises.

After establishing a stable above-zero temperature, it is necessary to remove the cover and immediately remove the leaves and rhizomes that have died over the winter, and loosen the soil.

In dry weather, water the plants better in the evening, protecting flowers from splashes. It is better to cut inflorescences for bouquets in the morning. During flowering, you should constantly remove faded flowers, and after all the flowers have faded, cut off the peduncle at the base.

In the 2nd half of summer, especially in rainy weather, iris leaves become covered with brown spots, such leaves need to be cut off and burned.

IN middle lane irises for the winter it is necessary to cover by first cutting off the foliage at a height of 20-15 cm. For covering, you can use spruce spruce branches, dry fallen leaves, straw, dry peat, and moss. The insulating material should be placed at a height of 15 cm, and spruce branches should be placed under the foliage.

Fertilizers for irises

During the growing season irises need to be fed (2-3 times):

• in the spring, apply nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium fertilizer (80-100 g per mg);
• at the beginning of budding - from the same calculation, but increasing the dose of potassium;
• at the end of flowering - phosphorus-potassium (50-60 g per m2).

Soil before application liquid fertilizers should be watered well, and dry fertilizers should be worked into the soil with a hoe.

Propagation of irises

Propagate irises Can be done by seeds and vegetatively by rhizomes and buds. The species is usually propagated by seeds. Kaempfer's iris seeds They germinate well when sown both in spring and autumn. Siberian iris seeds, bearded irises(species) it is better to sow before winter so that they go through the freezing period. They can be sown in February and kept in the room for 10-12 days, watering them abundantly so that the seeds swell, then take the crops out into the snow or place them in the refrigerator for 2-3 weeks, and then keep them in the room again. Many bearded people and some beardless irises the seeds germinate within several years.

Varietal irises It is recommended to propagate by dividing rhizomes or cuttings from buds. It is better to divide the bush into annual units, each of which bears a bunch of leaves. When propagated by buds, the rhizome link (without leaves) must be divided into several parts, each of which must have a bud.

Pieces of rhizomes should be left in a dry room so that they dry and the sections become crusty (the sections can be sprinkled with charcoal). Then plant the bud cuttings in sand or light ground and water; they take root easily.

Irises are a popular garden crop with spectacular flowering and unpretentious character. Many gardeners are interested in planting and caring for irises in the open ground. Velvet multi-colored irises are a perennial plant that serves as a real decoration for a flower garden or flower bed.

Irises - description and characteristics of culture

Irises are low perennials of the rhizome family. Translated from Greek, the word Iris means rainbow. Indeed, more than 700 species of irises are known, differing in size, shape, structure and color of the flower. Externally, the iris peduncle looks like an orchid; the color of the petals is very diverse - from white and pale to rich and bright. In some varieties, the peduncle is painted with two, three or more colors, and a peculiar pattern is applied to the lower petals.

Irises begin to bloom in May and June; lush flowering can continue until the end of June. In autumn, the iris can bloom again - in August and September.

The culture has a vast geography throughout the world, with some varieties found in the harsh climate of the Northern Hemisphere. In nature there are rhizomatous and bulbous irises, which are absolutely similar in appearance. Rhizomatous irises are resistant and unpretentious, winter well and are not afraid of cold weather. Bulbous varieties require a little more care and attention. wild flower Iris has long been loved by flower growers and has become an urban plant. You should learn everything about caring for and planting irises in open ground.

Rules for planting irises in open ground

Rhizomatous irises prefer a well-lit area, where they will bloom for a long time and beautifully. For the roots to spread freely, irises need space - at least half a meter from each other. All species love loose, rich nutrients and soil with a fatty structure. Planting irises in the ground in the spring is carried out after compost and potassium-phosphorus fertilizers have been added. Adding manure is not recommended.

Each variety needs its own soil moisture:

• It is better to plant bearded iris in a fan along the slopes so that there is a good outflow of rain and melt water;
• Siberian iris and marsh iris are best grown where it is always damp - near ponds and in partial shade.

The area for irises is dug up, treated with fungicides against harmful insects, and herbicides to reduce weed growth. For rhizomatous irises, soil with a neutral environment is preferable. If the soil is highly acidic, you should mix it with ash, lime or chalk. When planting, the top bud remains on the surface of the soil and is not buried.

Rhizome varieties - how to plant irises in spring:

1. A hole is dug under the root, in the center of which a small mound is poured.
2. The central root should be placed on the mound, and the lateral roots should be distributed to the sides.
3. The main rhizome is sprinkled with earth, a layer of sand is placed on top, and the earth is slightly compacted.
4. Do not deepen the roots too deeply; they should be located close to the surface of the soil.
5. Let the central bud remain free from the soil - above its surface.

Bulbous irises - planting and care in open ground:

1. Bulbs are planted in early spring or autumn before frost.
2. The soil temperature for planting should be at least 10°C, otherwise the bulbs may freeze.
3. A shallow trench is dug, the bulbs are deepened into the trench by 3-4 cm, no more.
4. The total planting depth should be approximately 10-12 cm.
5. The excavated soil is mixed with garden soil for nutrition, river sand and crushed coal for drainage, with double superphosphate for growth.
6. The prepared grooves are disinfected by pouring a solution of potassium permanganate and a growth stimulator to strengthen the roots.
7. Iris bulbs are planted sprout up, not too deep, at a sufficient distance from each other - 15-20 cm.
8. Soil is poured on top, which should be lightly compacted so that the bulbs do not crawl to the surface.
9. Repeated watering is necessary only after 3-4 days.

Excessive deepening of roots harms the growth and development of irises, and the soil should not be heavy. To loosen the soil, add compost, peat and coarse sand.

Small-bulb varieties of irises are not demanding on moisture. They are buried to three times the height of the bulb, and their flowering begins next spring.

Caring for irises - basics and secrets

According to experienced flower growers, irises are strong and resilient plants that grow and bloom well without fertilizer. However, in the third year of life, it is recommended to pamper the flower with step-by-step complex feeding - in the spring, during budding and after flowering. In response to care, the plant will become stronger and stronger, will grow faster and bloom more abundantly.

Irises - care in spring:

• fertilizing in a ratio of 2:1:1 - nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium;
• watering depending on surrounding weather conditions.

During the budding period, fertilizing should be done in a ratio of 3:1:3 - nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium. In this case, watering and spraying are carried out as necessary. A month after the end of flowering, it is recommended to fertilize in a 1:1 ratio - phosphorus plus potassium. IN autumn period Before wintering, you should apply dry mineral fertilizer a tablespoon at a time, scattering it under each root of the plant.

Irises should be watered at the root when the soil around the bush is completely dry. After planting, the plant is watered only after three days.

How to feed irises in spring:

• if a lack of minerals is noticed, then mineral fertilizing should be applied individually to each bush;
• In early spring, a complex nitrogen-potassium-phosphorus fertilizer for flowers is useful for the plant.

Prevention against diseases and pests includes sanitary pruning dead parts of the plant, timely removal of faded flower stalks, regular spraying and showering, cleaning the bed from fallen leaves. In open ground, iris plantings are weeded by hand, the soil is carefully loosened and watered as needed. Before winter, the rhizomes are sprinkled with earth and covered, since they are located close to the surface and can freeze.

How and when to replant irises

Irises can be planted in three ways - rhizomes, shoots and grown from seeds. Getting plants from seeds is the longest and most the hard way. In practice, it is much easier and faster to grow flowers by dividing the bush and cuttings. At the same time, plants grown from rhizomes will bloom the next year, and seed planting will have to wait another 2-3 years.

How and when to replant irises:

• the best time for replanting is early spring, that is, March-April, before flowering;
• Flowers are propagated by dividing rhizomes and sprouts.

Transplantation of irises in the spring to another place is carried out using only healthy and strong plants, which will take root quickly and without problems. The rhizomes are removed from the ground and divided into parts so that each individual root rosette has one leaf bud. Excess foliage should be trimmed. Before planting, the roots are dipped in a solution of potassium permanganate for several minutes for disinfection. Dried rhizomes are planted in shallow trenches or small planting holes at a distance of 50-60 cm from each other.

When propagated vegetatively, the iris must bloom at least once. After this, until budding, young shoots can be taken from it. New plants should be rooted from March to May in a shaded place, creating greenhouse conditions. Complete rooting can be observed after 2-3 weeks.

Irises can be grown from seeds. In autumn, the seeds are sown in a pot with a sandy substrate, covering it with polyethylene or glass. By spring, the seeds will germinate, they are picked and planted in open ground. When to plant irises in open ground in spring? Optimal time for planting in the ground - this is early spring, the months of March and April. By this time, the young plantings will have grown enough and will be able to quickly and fully take root in the ground.

Irises in landscape design

High decorative qualities irises can be planted in flower beds and mixborders, along fences, in flower beds and rockeries. The ideal place for them is on a hill where there is no stagnation of moisture and there is no close contact with groundwater. There are low and tall types of irises. Tall plants are usually tied up so that they do not break and hold the bud well. Dwarf irises grow in a continuous wall and require periodic pruning and watering in dry weather.

Irises in landscape design photo:

Knowledge of the rules for planting and caring for irises in the open ground will make it easy and simple to grow these plants in personal plot. When you see an iris, you have absolutely no desire to pick it; you want to admire it endlessly, inhaling the delicate and delicate aroma of the flower.

Such different irises on the site - video

Iris (Iris, Petushki) is a perennial plant from the rhizomatous genus. Irises can be found in almost every vegetable garden, garden and park. There are more than 700 species, which are characterized by a variety of shapes and colors.

For this reason, people called this flower rainbow. They say that since ancient times the iris was named after the goddess of the rainbow, Iris. Externally, iris flowers are very similar to orchids and have the same rich range of shades.

Varieties and types

bearded iris gained wide popularity due to the presence of shaggy hairs on the petals. This type of irises comes in different sizes (dwarf, tall, table and others).

An important point when growing is that this type of iris needs to be planted on sand. To do this, sand is poured into the bottom of the prepared hole (in a small layer) and then laid out, carefully distributing the rhizome. The planting should not be deep.

Siberian iris grows up to 80 cm in height, with flowers up to 10 cm, of various colors. The natural color of this species has many shades from blue to dark purple.

As for some hybrid varieties, there are:

• white ( Snow Queen),

• pink ( Imperial Opal),

• yellow with white trim ( Batts and Suga).

With all this variety, there is a significant disadvantage of this type - there is no aroma at all.

Japanese iris(its other name is xiphoid) has large flowers (about 25 cm in diameter), which are most similar to orchid flowers.

Iris Evansia– one of the large species (about one meter in height), drought- and frost-resistant. The flowers are lacy, have a bright yellow center and a white (dark purple, blue-violet and others) border.

Swamp iris A clear difference from other species is the fact that this iris grows only in moist soil. For this reason, it is most often used to decorate ponds.

Dwarf iris- reaches only 15 cm in height, has wide leaves and yellow or purple flowers.

Dutch irises (xyphyllum) is a hybrid variety, first bred in Holland. They grow to a height of no more than 50-60 cm. The flowers have different shades of petals: white, yellow, orange, blue and purple.

It is winter-hardy, but in severe winters it requires additional shelter. Often this type of irises is used for cutting, forming bouquets.

Iris spuria- a very interesting flower, which in Latin “spuria” means “false”. It got its name for its external similarity to Dutch irises.

The main advantage is that the flowering period is longer (several weeks). The “life” period of one flower is a week.

Iris planting and care in open ground

Irises are light-loving plants, so the key to long and variegated flowering is location in a well-lit area.

When planting, it is worth considering the fact that irises are capable of moving. So in one year they can move away from their original location by several centimeters. Therefore, planting is carried out not in a standard way (in a row), but with a fan of leaves along the row. Planting conditions are different for each species.

So, for example, it is worth planting bearded irises on a piece of land where there is good illumination in the first half of the day; it is better if it is a slope or hill (for the outflow of melt water) and the presence of drainage. As for marsh and Siberian irises, they are the opposite They like the soil to be constantly moist.

But at the same time, all species love rich soil, therefore, if necessary, in the spring, before planting, compost (do not use manure) and potassium-phosphorus fertilizers are added. If the soil is acidic, you can add a little chalk or wood ash. And of course, before planting, it is necessary to treat the area with herbicides and moisten it with a fungicide (for disinfection).

Watering irises

Water the plant only after the soil around the bush has completely dried. If there is a possibility that groundwater passes close to the surface, then it is worth taking care of drainage in advance.

The first watering is carried out immediately after planting, and the next - no earlier than three days later.

Feeding irises in spring

For lush flowering and good growth, irises, like all plants, need fertilizing and fertilizers. However, you should not use manure, as it will make the irises sick.

For feeding, you should use complex mineral fertilizers containing phosphorus, nitrogen and potassium. You need to scatter it around the bushes in the spring after the irises begin to grow. After this, the ground should be watered to speed up the dissolution of the granules.

Also, do not forget that an excess of fertilizers is also very harmful to plants, as well as a lack of them; as with watering, it is better to underfeed them a little than to overfeed them. Some gardeners may object: why feed and bother with irises, because they will bloom without it. But one can argue with this.

Over the ten years of growing irises, there were periods when fertilizing was not carried out at all for about three years in a row - and the difference was very noticeable. If you use fertilizers, irises bloom more abundantly and much more luxuriantly, their flowers are brighter and larger, the leaves are healthy and glossy, and the flower stalks are strong enough that they do not break even in strong winds, and they do not require tying at all.

But the main thing is that the growth of such bushes occurs much faster. For these reasons, the answer to the question of whether to feed or not is clear - feed, but at the same time wisely and in moderation. I have already developed a feeding scheme with a complex of micro and macro elements once a season before the start of the flowering period. I notice from my irises that they like it, they grow very quickly and bloom beautifully.

Preparing irises for winter

Due to the characteristic feature of irises, which is that their root system grows horizontally, sometimes their roots are exposed above the surface, so in winter they need to be sprinkled with additional soil and peat, otherwise they will freeze. In the spring, this layer of soil is carefully removed.

Irises are absolutely not suitable for leaves, straw, corn stalks as a covering material, or any other materials under which irises may rot. It is better to use the ground for shelter. Pour a few handfuls of soil into the middle of the bush to cover the exposed rhizomes.

When snow falls, it can also be used as a shelter, additionally adding it to the iris plantings. And in the spring, after the soil dries, excess soil should be carefully distributed around the bushes. And yet, on the issue of covering irises for the winter, it is impossible to give definite advice for all gardeners.

Since, when growing irises in the southern regions, you can completely do without shelter for the winter, but in the east and north of Russia, some varieties simply need preventive shelter.

Propagation of irises

There are three ways to propagate irises - by seeds, sprouts or rhizomes.

The main difference between these methods is that irises grown from seeds should bloom only in the second or third year, while flowers grown from rhizomes will bloom in the first year.

Propagation of irises by dividing the bush

When dividing a bush, only the healthiest bushes are selected. Having dug all the rhizomes out of the ground, it is necessary to thoroughly shake off all the soil so that each root can be clearly seen, then they are cut into small sections, so that each part remains with one leaf bunch. Leaves are cut in half.

After which it is necessary to carry out disinfection in a weak solution of potassium permanganate (dip the roots into the solution for 10-15 minutes), and dry in the sun. Plant in small holes, no deeper than 3-4 cm and at a distance of no closer than half a meter.

Vegetative propagation of iris

To propagate by sprouts, you must wait for at least one flowering of the plant, only after that you can safely use the young shoots. At the same time, it is worth cutting them off before the buds appear.

Rooting is carried out by planting in the ground in a shaded place, creating a greenhouse. If necessary, spray additionally. After 2-3 weeks, complete rooting can be observed.

Iris growing from seeds

After flowering ends, collect dried ovaries. They can be stored in boxes in a dark and dry place. In autumn, prepared seeds are planted in pots with a sandy substrate and covered with glass or polyethylene (to create a greenhouse). Closer to spring, the seedlings will sprout; they need to be thinned out.

Young growth is planted only after it has grown enough to make it convenient to plant. It is worth noting that only species irises can be propagated using this method, but with varietal irises, problems may arise with maintaining maternal characteristics.

Bacteriosis or soft rot of iris rhizomes

One of the dangerous diseases that affects irises is soft, bacterial, rhizome rot. The plant dies if the infection is severe.

Signs of this disease are rotting of the leaves at the base of the rhizomes, while the leaves remain green and simply fall out in whole fans. The rhizomes themselves turn into a foul-smelling slurry inside. Affected bushes should be completely dug up, all damaged areas should be cut out, reaching healthy tissue, and the cutting tool should be disinfected each time.

The bushes are divided, the cut areas are sprinkled with crushed coal, and then they are laid out in the sun with their rhizomes facing up for one to two days to warm them up thoroughly. You should not be afraid that the irises will dry out. Such procedures are a way of salvation for sick plants. After that, the cuttings that have dried out and warmed up are transplanted to a new area and watered.

The soil in the contaminated area is disinfected with a solution of potassium permanganate, and the contaminated material is burned. With moderate damage to the rhizomes when the disease is noticed, it is possible to save irises in almost one hundred percent of cases.

Irises rust stains

In spring and summer, iris leaves may appear rust stains, which grow over time, causing gradual drying of the leaves. These stains spread especially quickly at high humidity.

To prevent leaf spotting, irises should be treated with fungicides in the spring at the very beginning of intensive plant growth, with mandatory repetition after ten to fourteen days to consolidate the results.

And at the beginning of the flowering period, a control treatment is carried out. It should also be taken into account that drug solutions are poorly retained on the leaves; for this reason, special adhesives should be added.

Irises - perennial herbaceous plants who received widespread in floriculture and loved by many florists. Plants have earned great popularity due to their undemanding conditions and ease of care. These flowers are well tolerated winter cold and transplantation. At proper care Behind irises, they bloom for a long time and will become a wonderful decoration for flower beds, flower beds and mixed borders.

1 Description and popular varieties

The iris plant is rhizomatous and belongs to the Iris family. Thread-like or cord-like roots extend from the main rhizome. The plant has one or more annual flower stalks. The flat and thin leaves are sword-shaped and covered with a waxy coating.

Irises have large single flowers complex shape various colors. The flower has six perianth lobes, of which the outer three are everted and often colored a different color. The upper lobes of the perianth are fused into a tube. Plants begin to bloom in May and continue this process until July.

Names of the most popular types and varieties of iris:

• Bearded irises get their name from the shaggy hairs on their petals. Flowers of this variety can be as described different sizes, there are tall, medium, border, dwarf and other varieties.
• Siberian irises are distinguished by their natural colors in various shades: from blue to dark purple, but now many other shades of this species have already been bred as a result of breeding work. Well known Siberian iris white varieties Snow Queen, pink tall Imperial Opal, yellow iris with white border Batts and Sugar.
• Swamp iris or false calamus differs from other varieties of this plant in that it prefers moist soil for growth. Under natural conditions, the flowers of this variety are yellow in color. In floristry it is used to decorate ponds. Among the most common varieties are the yellow Golden Queen, the Flore Pleno variety with double flowers, variety of pink irises Umkirch.

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2 Characteristic features of cultivation

Growing irises does not require much labor, as the plant is unpretentious. But this process has its own characteristic features:

• The rhizomes of flowers grow in a horizontal plane and often come to the surface. That's why late autumn Iris plantings are covered with peat and soil, and with the onset of spring, the winter shelter is carefully removed.
• Plants may move as they grow, so they should be planted with a fan of leaves in the direction of the row, and not across.
• Bearded irises must be planted in sand. To do this, pour a pile of sand into the hole and spread it over it. root system plants. If a flower is planted too deep, it will not bloom.
• These cultures don't like organic fertilizers. They accept liquid mineral supplements much better.

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3 How to plant irises?

Before planting, you need to choose a suitable place for the flowers. This should be an area with deep groundwater. If they come close to the surface, then during landing they do good layer drainage or arrange a low mound. The area should be well lit, as this flower loves plenty of sun. It does not bloom so well in the shade; the duration of this period is significantly reduced. It is important to protect plants from gusts of wind. If this cannot be done, then adult specimens will need to be tied to supports.

Bulbous irises can be planted in the ground in the spring, when the soil in the garden warms up to +10 degrees. At the same time, the specific timing of planting bulbs may be different for Siberia and the Moscow region and depend on climatic conditions. At good care The flowering of such varieties occurs already in July, but in most cases, irises begin to bloom fully only the next year.

It is favorable to plant this plant in the fall, a few weeks before frost. It is important that the flower has time to take root before the onset of cold weather. Otherwise, he may die from frost.

Most often, irises are planted in the summer, starting in July. With such planting, the plant will definitely have time to take root and lay several buds, which will begin to bloom in the spring of next year.

The soil for planting irises should have neutral acidity and be light.

Correctly plant rhizome varieties as follows:

1. 1. Dig a hole and make a small mound in its center.
2. 2. The central root of the plant is placed on this hill and the remaining roots are distributed along its sides. If a rhizomatous flower is planted, then the rhizome is positioned so that it is almost level with the ground.
3. 3. The lateral roots are covered with soil and pressed down a little, and the central root is covered with a 2 cm layer of sand.

If you want to plant a bulbous iris variety, dig a hole three times the diameter and place the plant bulb in it, bottom down. If the bulb is too close to the ground level, it may die from frost. A distance of 10 cm must be maintained between plantings.

In early spring, you can plant newly purchased iris bulbs at home in pots. When the soil warms up well enough, they can be moved into open ground.

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3.1 How to grow from seeds?

Iris seeds can be planted in September or March. When sowing in autumn, there is a high probability that frost will come quite late and the plants will have time to germinate before the onset of cold weather. If this happens, the young flower will freeze in winter. Therefore, it is best to save planting material until spring and plant in March.

To save the collected seed material until March, it is wrapped in moistened cloth and placed in a container. The container is placed in the refrigerator for a month, and then transferred to a warm room. When the seeds hatch, they are planted in light soil and provided with additional lighting. In May, the grown seedlings can be moved into open ground.

4 How to organize care?

Irises require standard care, including mandatory weeding, watering and fertilizing. Weeds are pulled out regularly, while acting carefully and trying not to damage the roots of the plant. Young specimens must be covered for the winter, adult flowers in winter shelter don't need it.

Fertilizers for these flowers are necessary from early spring until mid-summer. The first spring fertilizing is applied while the soil is wet. For this purpose, mineral granulated fertilizers are used, carefully incorporating them into the soil. To do this, use a mixture of 2 parts nitrogen fertilizers with potassium and phosphorus, taken 1 part each. During the period of bud formation, apply fertilizing consisting of 1 part phosphate fertilizers, 3 parts nitrogen and the same amount potash fertilizers. After flowering is completed, add the mixture equal amount phosphorus and potassium.

Irises need to be watered infrequently. If the summer is rainy, then the plants have enough precipitation. During particularly dry summers, watering is done sparingly.

In the spring, irises may be susceptible to attack by pests, so they must be sprayed during this period with complex preparations of a wide spectrum of effects. Treatment is carried out every two weeks until the buds begin to appear. Most often, flowers suffer from bacteriosis, so they must be regularly inspected for signs of rot. If such signs are found, the damaged rhizome must be dug up and the planting site disinfected with a solution of potassium permanganate. In order to prevent possible diseases, every autumn it is necessary to cut off the dried foliage of plants, as pests accumulate in it. Three times during the growing season, irises need to be treated with a preparation containing copper, for example, copper sulfate.

Iris seeds are necessary in order to breed the most interesting varieties this plant. The fact is that the reproduction of cultural ornamental plants using seeds is work for the future. This is necessary only in two cases: when the plant is an annual, or when the grower is especially concerned about passing on by inheritance some of the plant’s favorite properties.

1 Diversity and properties of species

These plants are also commonly called cockerels for the shape of the flower, reminiscent of the head of a beautiful rooster, when the spreading comb and earrings are combined with beautiful multi-colored plumage.

In most regions of Russia, these plants grow safely both in the wild and in flower gardens. Wild irises, mostly purple, yellow and red, prefer swampy lowlands. During high water, they bloom, being in the water up to the leaves. If the flood does not last long, then these plants survive temporary waterlogging well, continuing their life in drier conditions.

Decorative value cultivars irises is not only that their flowers have an unusual shape and a variety of colors, but also that they bloom when spring species The plants have already faded, and the summer ones are not yet going to bloom.

Filling the color gap of the off-season has a special value in itself. However, irises, having finished blooming, continue to decorate the area with vigorous, straight leaves that retain their richness and richness of color for a long time.

2 Landing location

These plants can be used to form borders. If you combine them with some small plants, such as daisies, you will get a kind of frame for a path or flower bed. When the irises fade, small, modest, but still bright flowers will bloom under their arrow-straight leaves.

Irises are perfect for decorating the coastal zone of an artificial reservoir. Coastal irises go especially well with water hyacinths.

These plants will look good in a flowerbed formed from plants blooming in different times. If you place all the views correctly, you get a wonderful change of aspects. First, ephemeroids like Adonis will bloom, then it’s time for tulips to bloom, followed by irises, then you can fill color space asters, completing the series of colors with autumn chrysanthemums. Such a flowerbed will never get boring, and the iris leaves will not allow emptiness in this endless change of color shades.

3 Reproduction methods

This name refers to several types of plants. These are root and bulbous species, which are also divided into several groups and varieties.

To fill out decorative flower beds usually used root irises, which are called cockerels or killer whales.

All rhizomatous species and varieties have sword-shaped flat leaves located in the lower part of the peduncle. The stem itself does not have leaves. Each species and variety may have several peduncles. By the end of May, large single fragrant flowers appear on them.

If you are the happy owner of a special variety and you want to develop some of the characteristics of your treasure, then the flower located on a plant with these characteristics should be covered with gauze to prevent spontaneous pollination. In this case, you will have to perform the role of the bee yourself, transferring pollen with a brush or cotton wool from one flower to another. After successful pollination, the gauze can be removed, waiting for the seeds with the necessary genetic information to ripen. After the petals fall, a fruit-box with seeds will appear on the peduncle. We need to wait until they are fully ripe. However, do not miss the moment when the box itself opens and drops the seeds to the ground, where it will be difficult to find your exact seeds.

Thus, irises can be propagated in three ways: by dividing rhizomes, bulbs, and also using specially selected seeds.

4 Growing from seeds

There are 2 ways to grow irises from seeds. This is growing seedlings and planting seeds directly in open ground. Each of these methods has its own advantages and disadvantages.

The algorithm for growing seedlings involves the following sequence of actions:

1. 1Preparatory period. Collected seeds you need to immediately sort it, removing small and obviously unpromising specimens. Then all the seeds need to be placed in a closed container, having first wrapped them in a damp cloth. All this should be stored in the topmost compartment of the refrigerator or in a cold underground for about a month.
2. 2Check for germination. It is carried out according to the classical scheme. If you do not want to pre-germinate, then before sowing, throw the seeds into a glass of water and wait 30 minutes. During this time, all the seeds will be divided into 2 parts - some of them will emerge and float on the surface, while others will sink and lie at the bottom. Seeds floating on the surface are dry and dead and should be discarded. After draining the water from the container, remove the iris seeds from the bottom. They can be planted completely calmly - they are alive. You can do without water. Place the seeds on a flat surface with low sides, and then blow on them. Dead seeds will be light, so they will move somewhere immediately. Of course, they need to be thrown away and the rest of the seeds sown. A test for germination is also preliminary germination. Place a cotton cloth on a flat surface after soaking it in water. Place the seeds on a wet cloth and cover them with the same cloth on top. Now all that remains is to ensure that the fabric never dries out, but that water does not stagnate there. After about a week, live and healthy seeds will begin to germinate. Now you need to make sure not only that it is always moist, but also that the seeds do not overgrow.
3. 3Preliminary planting in pots. Slightly germinated seeds or only those that have been tested for germination should be sown in pots with sand, and then placed in a greenhouse where they will overwinter.

You can plant seeds in peat pots around February-early March. You need to fill the pots with garden soil, deepen each seed about 2 cm. After the irises begin to grow, they need to be moved to where it is warm and light. And in the spring, when the irises from seeds have finally grown and become stronger, at the appropriate time they are planted in open ground.

This path is complex, requiring attention and several procedures. Gardeners who do not have time for complex multi-step procedures simply sow iris seeds directly into open ground in the spring. This is done in regions where winters are harsh and autumn planting can lead to the death of the seeds.

Autumn planting of seeds in the ground is done where frosts are mild and spring comes early.

In any case, the boxes with ripened seeds must first be dried well. You can do this simply in the sun or indoors, where it is warm and always dry. Once you are sure that the seeds have dried well and are not in danger of mold or rot, place them in a dry, cool, dark place for the winter.

At autumn planting The best time to sow seeds is mid-September. You need to sow in well-prepared fertile soil with a large number organics. When preparing the bed, be sure to bury a layer of fresh manure mixed with leaves, straw, and dry grass to a depth of about 20 cm. Sprinkle some complex mineral fertilizers at the very bottom.

In the finished bed, make rows with an interval of 10 cm. You need to bury the seeds to a depth of about 2 cm. In the row, you need to maintain a distance of 10 cm between each plant.

When the seeds germinate and the green leaves of the cockerels rise above the now cooling soil, they need to be covered before frost. plastic film, padding polyester, a layer of straw, grass, leaves, sawdust (you can mix everything). Covered seedlings will not freeze in winter and will not begin to grow during early spring thaws.

Spring sowing is carried out in a similar way, but not earlier than mid-May. There is no need to cover these seeds. But it is necessary to feed.

Plants sown in the ground do not bloom in the first year, but they take root well, which allows them to quickly grow throughout the entire bed.

The name of the wonderful flower iris is translated from Greek as “rainbow”. Irises are often called the orchids of gardens. This is a perennial plant with beautiful bright flowers, dense leaves and thick bulbous roots. Today, iris is ubiquitous. This luxurious flower, which is in every garden, is also called bearded.

Iris is a light-loving flower, but does not like very waterlogged soil. Tall varieties of this flower are afraid of strong winds - the peduncle can bend or even break. Iris prefers well-drained and light soils. Before planting a flower, the soil must be carefully prepared: cleared of weeds, added ash or bone meal. The soil is dug up to a depth of 30 cm. It is advisable to divide the iris bush every three years.

Siberian iris - cultivation

Caring for and growing Siberian irises is slightly different from growing other varieties. Siberian iris is very unpretentious plant, which grows on almost any soil. Having a powerful root system, irises improve the structure of the soil and rid it of bacteria and fungi. Like other varieties of irises, the Siberian iris is very fond of sunny places and moist soil. And this real Siberian is not afraid of any winds; it can be planted in any open place.

Growing Dutch irises

Dutch irises have a bulb instead of a root, which is why they differ from other varieties. Another name for them is bulbous irises. Dutch irises are grown mainly for cutting in winter and early spring. They lend themselves well to forcing, and also last a long time when cut in water. Dutch irises can grow in one place without transplanting for several years. To separate the bulbs, they are dug up in the fall, dried, the bulbs are separated and planted again in the ground. For the winter, it is better to cover the plants with spruce branches.

Growing irises from seeds

One option for propagating irises is to grow them from seeds. To do this, after the petals fall from the flower, leave a few ovaries and by autumn hard iris seeds will appear in the boxes. These seeds should be sown in pots with sand and placed in greenhouse, where they should overwinter. And in the spring, seedlings will appear from these seeds, which, having grown a little, are planted in the ground. Only species irises can be propagated in this way. And in varietal plants, when propagated by seeds, other shapes and colors of the flower may appear.

At home, irises can bloom in your home as early as February. To grow irises at home, dig up the roots of the plant at the end of summer, plant it in a suitable container and place it on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator. Then, in early January, the container is moved to a south window and watered moderately. And in just a month, the “northern orchid” can please you with wonderful flowers.