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Dead Heading Irises

victoriacadamsvictoriacadams Posts: 57
in Problem solving
Good Morning 'Fellow Fruit Experts'.

This is our summer in our new home.  We have acquired an amazing farmhouse garden, with fruit, vegetable and flower stock.  We have had the fortune of splendid irises with significant height.  Do I now dead head or should I leave well alone? 

Posts

  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    If they are tall bearded iris, then I cut off the stem where it joins a leaf as soon as flowering is over to prevent energy going into seed production rather than bulking up the rhizomes

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • victoriacadamsvictoriacadams Posts: 57
    picture of iris 
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    They do look like tall bearded iris.
    I'd cut the flower stems off at the lowest point where there's a leaf joint.

    It's worth knowing that in order to reliably flower, the rhizomes need to be baked in the summer sun and all the feverfew you have around them will likely prevent that happening.
    They should also be lifted and divided about every 3 years to give them space to grow.
    I done mine last year and had about 50 spare rhizomes - I put an ad on Freecycle and they were taken on the same day.

    Some info here may be of help-
    https://www.gardenersworld.com/how-to/grow-plants/how-to-grow-bearded-iris/

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • victoriacadamsvictoriacadams Posts: 57
    Hi Pete, thank you for sharing your knowledge and techniques re; irises.  They are beautiful, whether miniature or large.  Also, thank you for the link.  I would be very nervous dividing them but, if that is the norm ... in trepidation, I will give it a go. Is this the right time to divide?
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    Yes, this is a good time to divide. Usually around 6 weeks after flowering.
    It's not too difficult and once you've done a couple it's a lot easier.
    Some of mine that I divided last year didn't flower this year, but most did.
    Good luck!

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    It's not difficult, as @Pete.8 says. The middle 'ring' dies off over time, lessening the flower potential,  so that's the reason for dividing. 
    When you lift them, just chop the rhizomes into a few pieces - depending on the size of the plant. As long as each piece has roots, they'll be fine. If you pot them up, cut back the foliage by about half, and settle them in with the rhizome exposed, to get a baking as @Pete.8 says. Alternatively, replant the same way, where you want them. 

    You might find they wobble a bit in pots, but a couple of little canes or twigs pushed in at the pot sides will keep them steady until they establish.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
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