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Help with iris not flowering

adamadamantadamadamant Posts: 278
in The potting shed
Hi all I planted some forty or so miniature iris bulbs in pots with drainage holes and gravel on the top.  I had them under the bench in the greenhouse until they started to show quite a bit of growth, then on the bench in the light, and then outside.  But they have completely stalled, and when I pulled at one it came away from the bulb completely.   Others came off bringing the bulb with them and all with barely any root.  I have no hope for these, but recall that last year I planted miniature daffs along with the irises and again had barely a display.  Any idea what I could be doing wrong?  i didn't use bulb fibre, but it was compost with quite a good amount of drainage material in, probably gravel or perlite or similar.  They seem to have rotted off though. Any tips for next year?

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  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I always left them outside when I grew them, and usually in fairly shallow, alpine pans or similar. Not a plant I would have put in the greenhouse. We have very wet winters, but that wasn't a problem as long as the drainage was fine. The biggest problem here is that they don't reliably return each year so are more like annuals. I think that's a fairly common problem in many areas. 
    It does sound as if they've rotted. If there isn't enough ventilation in a greenhouse through winter, the moisture levels can remain high, especially if the greenhouse isn't completely on a hard surface, as any soil will naturally absorb moisture from outside. They can then become very humid when there's a bit of sun. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • adamadamantadamadamant Posts: 278
    Aha!  That could well be it. They were in shallow alpine pans as yours are, so I was a bit stumped. Thank you.  Next time I'll leave them out through the winter and see how they get on. 
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Annoyingly - they can sometimes shrivel and disappear, but also-  if you get those damn furry grey 'rats', they'll dig up anything small because the planting is shallow enough for them.
    Did you find any of the actual bulbs? I'm assuming not, but they must have been present long enough to produce top growth. 
    I just keep them in sheltered spot where they won't get the full force of the wet weather, but where they can get enough light once they start to appear. I grow them in at least a 50/50 sort of mix, so that they have good drainage. Perhaps you could experiment next year and see what works best   :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • adamadamantadamadamant Posts: 278
    I will do thank you.  I love the thought of them on the table just outside where I can see them as the spring approaches.  Another time maybe!
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    That's exactly the sort of site you want - a cheery burst of colour you can see from a window on a dull, miserable day  :)
    I meant to say too - most daffs can withstand loads of weather, so they would probably do better outside for you. I must have been thinking about this thread last night when I did my shopping. They've had little pots of dwarf daffs for a while, and they're so inexpensive. I couldn't resist - and got the 3 for a fiver offer. There's at least five or 6 bulbs in each pot, and in flower now of course. I also get a discount in there, so it would have been rude not to....  ;)

    The other thing to remember is - if you give bulbs a few feeds as they die back, that helps build the bulbs up for the following year, to help their flowering power. It isn't necessary in the ground, but in a pot they're reliant on you for their needs.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Joyce GoldenlilyJoyce Goldenlily Posts: 2,933
    adamadamant said:
    I will do thank you.  I love the thought of them on the table just outside where I can see them as the spring approaches.  Another time maybe!
    From your description of where you kept your pots ofbulbs you do not mention watering them .They were under cover until the leaves appeared. It could be dehydration of the bulbs. They are not tender indoor plants so need water. I grow dwarf iris in shalloe pans, think of them as annuals, leave them outside at all times then when in flower, put them on a table outside a window so I can enjoy them from indoors. Reticulata iris bulbs divide into dozens of tiny bulbils after flowering so it is several years before they reach flowering size again. The yellow danfordia is particularly prone to this. I did not replace my blue reticulatas ast year so have only had 3 flowers from 10 bulbs planted last year.
  • EscarpmentEscarpment Posts: 53
    This is my first year growing irises. I put them on a shelf unit against the house wall until they began to show signs of flowering. They are now on a table outside the back door. "Angela" already flowering, "George" in the centre pot with the first bloom about to open.
  • adamadamantadamadamant Posts: 278
    I am rather envious of those.  But next year! Thank you Fairygirl for all your advice too 
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