How to Make a Water Iris Bloom
Growing iris plants is a relatively simple process for anyone who has a naturally "green" thumb. These flowering plants grow from rhizomes (fat roots or bulbs), and adapt water or land. Rhizomes are available at lawn and garden centers as either a bare bulb or as a bulb with clipped roots and leaves. Once you have established iris plants, you can easily divide them and transplant some of the rhizomes to new locations. Irises are hardy enough that getting them to bloom is a simple matter of taking care of them. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Compost water iris plants each spring. When composting, always leave the rhizome exposed, with a thin layer of compost surrounding it.
-
2
Add fertilizer when you compost your plants. Use iris-specific fertilizer and always follow manufacturer directions.
-
-
3
Prune flower stalks after the flowers have faded. This will encourage reblooming and keep your plant clean and neat.
-
4
Prune the plant again in the autumn. Get rid of dead leaves and stems. Trim the healthy leaves back to within 4 to 5 inches of the main stalk.
-
5
Cover rhizomes with a healthy layer of mulch before the winter to protect them from the cold.
-
6
Divide iris plants and rhizomes every 5 years or so, or when you notice restricted blooming. This will keep the plants healthy and controlled.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Divide and transfer iris rhizomes 2 to 3 weeks after blooming finishes.
Different breeds of water iris have different water needs. Care for some pond irises will be different than care for others.
Irises bloom in summer months, and go dormant in winter.
If your iris does not have time to "establish" before winter, it might not survive the cold weather.
Irises are aggressive plants and are likely to take over any other vegetation in the area.
