Planting Your Bearded Iris Too Deep
One of the most common reasons why your iris flowers may be pocket-size is because you have planted your whiskered iris diaphragm too deep . Bearded iris , also known as Iris germanica , have specific planting requirements that must be followed in gild for them to expand and produce their iconic large and vivacious blooms .
When planting bearded iris , it is crucial to ensure that the rhizome , which is the duncical solution - alike structure of the plant , is not buried too deep in the soil . Ideally , the top of the rhizome should be just barely covered with soil , or even slightly exposed . If the rhizome is set too bass , it can result in stunted growth and smaller flowers .
Why is planting depth so important for bearded iris ? Well , the rhizome of the fleur-de-lis is creditworthy for store nutrients and energy that the plant postulate to grow and produce blossom . When the rhizome is buried too cryptic , it has to work harder to reach sun and enter the nutrient in the soil . This can conduct to rickety and underdeveloped works , resulting in smaller bloom .
what is more , planting bearded iris too deep can also head to poor drainage , which can cause the rootstock to rot . This can further hinder the plant ’s power to take up nutrients and piss , ensue in smaller flower or even the death of the plant .
My personal experience with planting barbate iris too deeply taught me the importance of following the recommend planting depth . A few years ago , I erroneously planted a clutch of bearded iris too deep , thinking that eat up the rhizomes profoundly would provide them with more constancy . However , I soon notice that the plant were not growing as smartly as they should have been . The flowers that did eventually bloom were disappointingly small .
To even up the number , I cautiously travail up the rhizomes and replanted them at the correct deepness . Within a year , the plants ricochet back and started produce larger and more vibrant flowers . It was a valuable lesson in the grandness of proper planting depth for bearded iris .
To forefend embed your bearded iris too deep , here are a few key step to postdate :
1 . ready the soil : Before planting , check that the dirt is well - drain and repair with organic issue . Bearded iris choose somewhat acidic to neutral soil with a pH level between 6.0 and 7.0 .
2 . Dig a shallow hollow : When planting the rhizomes , dig a shallow maw that is wide enough to accommodate the spread of the root . The hole should be about 4 to 6 inches deep .
3 . set the rootstalk correctly : put the rootstock horizontally in the hole , with the top of the rootstock just barely covered with soil or even slightly expose . Avoid burying the rhizome too deep .
4 . Backfill and firm the soil : Gently backfill the pickle with territory , check that the root are covered but the rhizome persist at the correct deepness . Lightly tauten the soil around the rhizome to provide stability .
5 . H2O good : After planting , water the fresh set bearded flag thoroughly to square off the land and ensure right hydration .
By following these step and avoiding the common mistake of planting bearded iris too deep , you could give your plants the best chance to thrive and produce the bombastic and arresting flowers they are known for . Remember , right planting depth is indispensable for the health and beauty of your bewhiskered fleur-de-lis .
Caroline Bates
