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Iris Query
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sharon mc On The Way Up

Joined: 05 Feb 2008 Location: West Wales, UK Posts: 60
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| Posted: Thu Mar 06, 2008 2:22 pm Post subject: Iris Query |
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Hi, can anyone advise me, please?
I've got some Irises to plant, which are a mass of fibrous roots from which shoots are beginning. When I plant them out, should the shoots be well covered with soil, like the roots or should I leave them uncovered and just protect from frost?
I've planted Iris before but only from corn/bulb form. Also, my lily bulbs are throwing shoots; how should I treat these when I plant them? Bury the shoots or leave exposed, please?
Thanks in advance!
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Droopy Slug Slaughterer
 Joined: 11 Aug 2007 Location: Western Norway (Map) Posts: 3593 PlantStew: 2454 |
| Posted: Thu Mar 06, 2008 2:37 pm Post subject: |
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Have you started them inside? Then they need to be hardened gradually. If you've just moved them, I think they'll live whatever you choose to do. I've planted iris too deep and too shallow, and it doesn't seem to affect them much. I've never covered my iris.
Bulbs are supposed to be planted three times as deep as they're high. They don't like being dug down too deep. My mother told me they will crawl deeper by themselves if they're planted too shallow. The shoots will probably continue to grow even if they're covered.
_________________ The time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time.
-Bertrand Russell
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toni Mistress of Garden Junque

Moderator
Joined: 07 Jan 2006 Location: North Texas (Map) Posts: 4517 PlantStew: 466 |
| Posted: Thu Mar 06, 2008 3:02 pm Post subject: |
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Which type of Iris are you planting?
Bearded ones should be planted at surface level with roughly 1/2 to 2/3 of the bulb above ground. Any deeper, they will not bloom but will over the years slowly move themselves up to the surface if they don't rot first..then start blooming.
The other Iris's types need to be planted about 4" deep.
The Lilies should be buried at a depth of 4" also. The little shoot will continue to grow and break the surface when it gets there.
_________________ "Blossom by blossom the spring begins."
Algernon Swinburne (1837-1909)
"A little Madness in the spring, is wholesome even for the King."
Emily Dickinson (1830-1886)
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Droopy Slug Slaughterer
 Joined: 11 Aug 2007 Location: Western Norway (Map) Posts: 3593 PlantStew: 2454 |
| Posted: Thu Mar 06, 2008 3:15 pm Post subject: |
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| toni wrote: | | Which type of Iris are you planting? |
Good one, Toni. I assumed they were sibiricas.
_________________ The time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time.
-Bertrand Russell
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sharon mc On The Way Up

Joined: 05 Feb 2008 Location: West Wales, UK Posts: 60
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| Posted: Thu Mar 06, 2008 4:28 pm Post subject: |
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These were part of the plants that I ordered in; new to me! According to the plant instructions; they are either 'Germanica' or 'Pumilla'. Planting depth isn't specified for either. All I can tell you is that they're a newish hybrid 'black' flower; just found proper name: Iris Chrysographes (black form)
Thanks.
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Wrennie Showing Great Promise

 Joined: 21 Nov 2007 Location: Catskill Mountains NY Posts: 512
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| Posted: Thu Mar 06, 2008 5:18 pm Post subject: |
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That is really COOL!
Iris, as far as i remember should have the corms,or fibery root, covered but the green growth should be right at soil level.
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sharon mc On The Way Up

Joined: 05 Feb 2008 Location: West Wales, UK Posts: 60
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| Posted: Thu Mar 06, 2008 6:27 pm Post subject: |
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OK, thanks. That's very helpful.
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Droopy Slug Slaughterer
 Joined: 11 Aug 2007 Location: Western Norway (Map) Posts: 3593 PlantStew: 2454 |
| Posted: Thu Mar 06, 2008 7:47 pm Post subject: |
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Your new iris is gorgeous! The chrysographes is like the siberians in the root system, and is planted like Wrennie says. The germanica are the bearded ones that Toni described how to plant.
I've put our siberians on top of the soil, and I've drowned them under 15 cm of soil. They still came up and bloomed for me. Amazing species!
_________________ The time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time.
-Bertrand Russell
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Palm Tree Knows Their Stuff

 Joined: 17 Sep 2007 Location: Cape Town (Map) Posts: 791
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| Posted: Fri Mar 07, 2008 6:50 am Post subject: |
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Gosh Sharon
The anticipation when waiting on that Iris to bloom would be unbearable for me. It is going to be gorgous - judging from the picture.
Ooh - I wish ... There I go again - wishlisting - silly me I should adapt my garden rather to fit the circumstances here.
_________________ Backyard Landscape Design
Candle Making
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sharon mc On The Way Up

Joined: 05 Feb 2008 Location: West Wales, UK Posts: 60
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| Posted: Fri Mar 07, 2008 11:17 am Post subject: |
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I feel quite a responsibility here with this little plant; hope I can do it justice in it's living conditions! Thanks to everyone and I'll give a progress report in due course!
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