Iris hollandica

Whilst meandering through the confines of a famous garden centre, (which is my wont),in the vicinity of the great city of Hamburg, an old acquaintance, and befriended employee of the aforesaid nursery, thrust a plastic bag containing 25 bulbs of the beautiful 'Iris hollandica' (bronze) into my frozen mitt.
"If you plant them now, they'll bloom soon", quoth he.
"Well, kind Sir, I thank you, but what is the amount of remuneration required for such an exquisite collection of bulbs?"
"Nothing Guv'nor, no-one else seems to want them, and they've been lying there looking at me for the last three weeks", he explained, with a kindly grin (which bye the way, was missing of two incissors).
Well, not being one to look down on the proverbial gift horse's dental plate, I promised the lad a beaker of the frothing ale at our next meeting in the City as a gratuity, then removed myself from the premises, and headed homeward speedily on those wonderful carriageways which the ingenious Germans call the 'Autobahn'.
On reaching my homely destination, I suddenly realised, (and with not a bit of horror may I add), that the main ingredient required for the propagation of such dainty floral creatures, commonly known as soil, was in such a state of solidity, that trying to break through the surface, could, and probably would, cause damage to some of the other floral delights struggling upward.
I am loath to place these blooms in a container of any type, and I request knowledge on propagation, and the latest date in which I can bury these bulbs into the dark medium of the earth.
So dear friends, what to do?? What to do??

Sincerely

Wintermoor

What are you trying to say, somebody gave you a bag of bulbs?

Seriously, have these Dutch Iris been kept cold? Are they pre-chilled? Usually they would be planted in fall for spring bloom. Forcing them in a container was my first thought, but you have ruled that out. Perhaps if planted as soon as the ground can be worked, a floral display may be assured.

sings "fan fan fan of the autobahn"

Winter as it is Winter these are probably way past their sell by date. My plants have leaves over 12 inches high. but ... as you are in the depths of winter these bulbs may be in suspenders. how big are their growth points? if any are showing. if these are still dormant I would put them into the largest container you have and then transplant them when the ground thaws. I moved mine recently and they are OK

Wintermoor ~~~

Bakker Holland is a great place. Very charming people. I've been there twice.

On the other hand, ignorance prevents me from offering assistance on what to do with your dainties in early March.

Adam.

wintermoor, loved your message. Too bad that you didn't have some potting soil saved somewhere. I always keep a supply somewhere won't freeze cause never know when need to plant something. As someone else said you will probably have to wait until it is spring at your place, or maybe go out on the autoban again to a store, rutholive (Donna)

Barry... i hope this url help in the info u seek ... http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/factsheets/bulbs-spring/Iris_ho.htm , http://www.desert-tropicals.com/Plants/Iridaceae/Iris_hollandica.html good luck dear friend.

Thank you friends,

I have now planted the bulbs in a little corner of one of my beds, and will now wait, with abaited breath, as to the outcome. Thank you all for your tips.

Thanks MaVie, for the links, they are excellent :-X


Wintermoor

Here in California, they are selling Dutch Iris now for summer bloom. They also sold them in the fall for spring bloom. I was going to suggest until I saw you had planted them, to put them into the refrigerator to stall their growth and then bring them out when your soil was workable.

I had left the packet outside Kell to get the last of the freeze. So they had at least 4 days and nights in the cold before being covered up. I think they should be ok now.

Thank you ;-)


Wintermoor

always a pleasure to be of service Barry :)!