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dutch iris - compost question

katrinkempkatrinkemp Posts: 81
in The potting shed
I bought some dutch iris bulbs and want to put them in a pot. Can i use bulb fibre mixed with john innes number 3 and some grit? Thats what I have left at home. I don't want to go to the nursery again if i don't have to, always spend to much money:-)

Posts

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    I think that’ll do well 👍 Plant them about 5” deep and they’ll be fine. Enjoy 😉 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Yes  - anything well drained will do. They don't last for many years anyway, so enjoy.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • katrinkempkatrinkemp Posts: 81
    thanks @Fairygirl and @Dovefromabove It’s a big old pot, do you think i can squeeze 10 bulbs in or do they need space and i only put 5 in?🙏🏻
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    What do you mean by big? 
    You can cram bulbs in a bit tighter in pots than in the ground anyway  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    I really cram bulbs into pots ... as long as they’re not touching they’ll be fine. If a pot is deep enough I often plant a double layer with the second layer between the ‘noses’ of the first .., that looks amazing. 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I do that too @Dovefromabove. I'd say a twelve inch pot would easily take ten bulbs, but it's difficult to be accurate without knowing what size of bulb [some are bigger as they're better quality and more expensive ] and what shape of pot.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • katrinkempkatrinkemp Posts: 81
    It’s a 12 inch round pot, i knew you can cram tulips in but wasn’t sure about iris. you have been very helpful-I’ll throw them all in:-)
  • BijdezeeBijdezee Posts: 1,484
    Watch out for the round bodied Black beetles that get on them. I sadly had to stop growing them as they were always infested. Hope you have more luck as they are a lovely splash of colour. I grew them in the garden though. 



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