Blue Flag Blues

I have some of the old-fashioned dutch iris commonly called blue flags. They are not blooming well although others in the area are doing great. They are not over-crowded, although I have seen stands that were undivided for decades. I fertilized them this spring and added a little extra bonemeal because our soils are low in phosphates. They bloomed beautifully last year. What could be the problem?

how deep or shallow did u plant them in the ground? when i plant iris, i have part of the rhyzome above ground. if i plant them any deeper, they do no perform well. i plant them in full sun. soil here is sandy.

maybe this will help too ... http://www.plantoftheweek.org/week155.shtml

HHmmmmmmm, well they bloomed beautifully where they are last year. I divided 2 bunches but the 3rd bunch I did not divide but it isn't blooming well either. The only thing I can think of is that we had a dry season last year. If that affects the bloom this year, then that could be it. However, others in the area are blooming fine. Mine are in a rock garden, though.......

I have them growing wild in my yard and have noticed some years they bloom better than others......

Thanks crested chick. I am so frustrated because I see them blooming beautifully all around my county. My yellow ones and some other that are also blue but with striped falls did well. *sigh*

how often do u feed ur plants? when i planted the iris on the ground i placed superphospate on the spot where they are to grow. then twice a week, till the leaves turn yellow and dry out, i foliar feed with MG 15-30-15. hth

I think triple phosphates or bone meal is all they got this year. Many folks around here stick 'em in the ground and that's it and they bloom year after year with no help. That's why I can't understand why mine won't bloom when they did so nicely last year and everyone else's is doing great. I see no evidence of insects or disease.