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Dwarf iris flowers dropping

RedSquirrel19RedSquirrel19 Posts: 21
in Problem solving
I've a row of ~60 iris Katherine Hodgkin which are in their second flowering season and have been flowering over the last week. Almost as soon as the flowers have appeared, they are detaching and dropping, several while still flower buds (as in pic). I don't recall this happening last year. It's not been windy. I wondered if a cat was brushing through (but not an obvious thoroughfare). Thought, as little rain recently, maybe dehydrated (but have watered). Maybe being eaten by slugs/snails? Unconvinced/uncertain about each! Has anyone experienced/explained similar with dwarf irises, or have any ideas? 


Posts

  • chickychicky Posts: 10,410
    I have had similar.  Although I’ve never seen it happening I was told it could be birds pecking a hole at the base of the flower to get at the nectar ☹️
  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    Happens to mine too, I think it's probably sparrows just for the hell of it.
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    Crocuses will be their next target!  If you want to protect these small flowers, try some light netting supported by bamboo canes, in as subtle a way as you can😊!
    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


  • RedSquirrel19RedSquirrel19 Posts: 21
    Thank you for all the replies & thoughts, v interesting! Will look in to birds as possibility.
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    I've had exactly the same thing. I too wondered if cats had been sitting on them. They are supposed to quite like dry soils...
  • Joyce GoldenlilyJoyce Goldenlily Posts: 2,933
    I also have a bowl of dwarf iris. I have dosed the bowl with slug pellets as the first flower dropped its head. Since putting the slug pellets down the rest of the flowers have opened successfully. so I suspect slug damage. 
  • RedSquirrel19RedSquirrel19 Posts: 21
    Really useful info, thanks. Since posting, I've seen slugs elsewhere in the garden, so I know they're active. 
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Slugs certainly love them. 
    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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