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Iris Reticulata

justflowersjustflowers Posts: 143
in Plants
I planted two shallow pots of Iris Reticulata last October - both had healthy shoots but during the cold weather earlier this year the shoots of one pot shrivelled and died and the other ones seem to be alive still but did not flower.  I have given up hope of having any flowers now, but might the bulbs be worth storing?  Is there any chance they might flower next year? Advice would be welcome. :)
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  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    They don't tend to return reliably, and storing them isn't easy as they can shrivel away. You'd be better leaving them where they are, giving them a couple of feeds as they die back, and just keeping them in an out of the way site for now.  Then cross your fingers.  :)
    They can be easily dug up by squirrels, so if you have them around, some netting or mesh secured over the pots is a good idea. 

    They suffer if the weather's hit and miss - ie dry/mild, then wet, then freezing etc, which has been a pattern this year for many areas. Tulips are the same, especially in pots. Just one of those things that can't really be avoided. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    @justflowers This year my I Reticulata were fine in the ground and they flowered well. I have no plans to keep them as they often don't do so well year two and I only have six bulbs. They form little bulbils and this affects the flowering.
     I wonder if yours were frozen in the pots? This has happened to me in the past. You could tip them out and keep the largest bulbs, store in a cool dry place and try again, this is something I did once for a client and most flowered year two. Nothing to loose.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • justflowersjustflowers Posts: 143
    Thanks both - I don't really want to keep them in the pots as I use them for Summer planting, so I think I will lift them and store if they look viable and put them into borders in Autumn.  I do have some in a border and they flowered well this year, so I wonder if they did get frozen in their pots, although they were in quite a sheltered position. The weather's certainly been hit and miss here - it seemed as if Spring had come in February, then Winter returned with a vengeance in March!!
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    They're usually good in pots, but the weather has been very hit and miss, and those swings from one extreme to another have been very difficult for lots of plants of all types.
    In the ground is always easier for plants, whether it's bulbs or an established shrub or perennial, as they can adapt more easily to any trickier conditions.  
    Fingers crossed next year will be better. They're lovey little plants  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • bertrand-mabelbertrand-mabel Posts: 2,697
    Ours are in the ground and this year we had a good return but quickly over.
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    @bertrand-mabel Yes very quickly over but to see such vibrant colours at this time of the year is special as I am sure you agree.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • bédébédé Posts: 3,095
    Lots of reports from poster saying that Iris ret.  re-flowers rarely.  Also my experience.
     location: Surrey Hills, England, ex-woodland acidic sand.
    "Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
  • justflowersjustflowers Posts: 143
    Thanks for all the comments - I will plant new bulbs in a pot for next year - I like to put it by the front door for that early colour, but will plant the older ones in the borders where they can take their chance!! :)
  • borgadrborgadr Posts: 718
    For what it's worth, mine reflowered fine this year. I left them in their shallow terracotta pot outside all year after they flowered (I had fed them once with liquid seaweed after flowering.). The variety was "Alida".
    Maybe I got lucky..  I'll see if they flower again next year. 
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    @borgadr I think feeding could be the answer to your success. Feeding the bulbs so that they are of a size to flower. 
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
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