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irises
naomi.gaffney
Posts: 24
I am wondering why my irises didn't flower last year and this year is not looking too promising either! Thanks
0
Posts
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.
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!
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
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.
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.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
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.
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.
Yes, I feel for those who don't have a garden at the moment as its lovely to be out in the fresh air.