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Tuesday Afternoon

(56,912 posts)
1. how deep did you plant them?
Sat Apr 20, 2013, 10:44 PM
Apr 2013

Not too deep! Iris plants like to grow near the surface, so plant your iris bulbs 3 to 4 inches deep. Dig a hole that is about twice the size of the bulb.

more at link:
http://www.life123.com/home-garden/flower-guides/flowering-bulbs/iris-bulbs.shtml

Suich

(10,642 posts)
2. About 2"-3".
Sat Apr 20, 2013, 10:48 PM
Apr 2013

Why did they bloom the 1st year? Bulbs don't sink deeper each year, do they? I have other bulbs that were planted at the same time and they've come up each year.

NRaleighLiberal

(59,940 posts)
4. The surface of the rhizomes like to be baked - direct sun on them. Over time they get covered up
Sat Apr 20, 2013, 10:54 PM
Apr 2013

with mulch, leaves, soil. Each year you need to scrape them gently so that the rhizome surface is exposed. If you do that, and they get full sun, they should bloom again.

NRaleighLiberal

(59,940 posts)
8. Hmmm....as they say, that's very different! My Google search says 4 inches deep...
Sat Apr 20, 2013, 11:10 PM
Apr 2013

so perhaps insufficient sun, or some fertility (nutritional balance) issue? I've not planted them before.

Suich

(10,642 posts)
9. I'm bummed because all 12 of them bloomed the 1st year,
Sat Apr 20, 2013, 11:12 PM
Apr 2013

then nothing. Sounds like I need to dig them up and replant them. Do I dig them up now or wait til the green stuff dies? Does it make a difference? I'll replant them in the fall.

NRaleighLiberal

(59,940 posts)
10. Letting the foliage go feeds the bulb....let it go (does it die back?)
Sat Apr 20, 2013, 11:15 PM
Apr 2013

then re-set them. They are really nice - I've seen them as cut flowers. good luck!

pscot

(21,023 posts)
11. They need a bonemeal or superphosphate fertilizer
Sat Apr 20, 2013, 11:23 PM
Apr 2013

Too much nitrogen makes leaves but no flowers.

BlueToTheBone

(3,747 posts)
15. Do you cut the leaf back in mid summer?
Thu Jun 13, 2013, 09:35 AM
Jun 2013

Do the rhizomes break through the earth? They like to lump up on top of the earth. Cut them back almost to the ground, fertilize with good like bone meal. If they are too crowded, they won't bloom either.

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