Do Montana Irises grow in Fla.

Watch Reply
More
Mark unread Print Skip to new
grnthum10 Ocala, FL Sep 20, 2008

I was in Montana this summer and saw some beautiful irises that someone graciously offered to send me ,since then, I heard that these irises needed cold weather to survive and the bulbs to freeze to get started. Is this true?
And is there any way they will grow in Fla.Maybe put bulbs in freezer
Thanks

Post #5575936
Quote
glendalekid Tuscaloosa, AL(Zone 7b) Sep 20, 2008

Tulips won't bloom without a cold period, and frankly I've not gotten the "refrigerator treatment" to work well with them.

But I've not heard that in connection with irises. I've got an entire bed of irises doing well here, and I leave them in the ground year around. This is a very warm climate compared to Montana.

The only odd thing I've read about planting irises is that you don't plant them deeply. You need to leave the top part of the rhizome sticking out of the ground or they won't bloom.

Maybe an iris expert can chime in on this.

Karen

Post #5577795
Quote
ecrane3 Dublin, CA(Zone 9a) Sep 20, 2008

I'm not an iris expert, but I did have a few at my old house and they bloomed just fine, so they definitely don't need winter chill (at least not a ton of it) to bloom well.

Post #5577903
Quote
glendalekid Tuscaloosa, AL(Zone 7b) Sep 21, 2008

ecrane,

Thanks. Didn't know if there was a different kind maybe applicable to cold climates or something. I know iris grow very well in so. CA and sure don't have any winter chill there.

Karen

Post #5578245
Quote
WeeNel Ayrshire Scotland, United Kingdom Sep 21, 2008

Don't put any bulbs in the freezer, this will kill off the growing tips and cause rot to set in when thawed out, to chill any bulbs IF this is called for, the refrigerator is cold enough and normally the salad drawer would be coolest area needed.

There are lots of different forms of Irises, some like to grow within the waters edge, others need baking in the sun at their tubers and others are not tubers but bulbs, all need separate conditions so best to try find out what type you have so you can offer the right conditions to really enjoy them, best of luck. WeeNel.

Post #5578551
Quote
JuneyBug Dover AFB, DE(Zone 7a) Sep 21, 2008

In the gumbo clay of Louisana, we scratch the ground about 1/2 inch deep and lay the tubers on that. Any deeper and they will rot. They love good drainage and deep soakings.

Post #5579109
Quote
grnthum10 Ocala, FL Sep 21, 2008

Thanks for all of your comments

Post #5581120
Quote

Post a Reply to this Thread

Please or sign up to post.
Back to Forum Homepage

More Beginner Gardening Threads

Go to all Beginner Gardening threads
BACK TO TOP