Yesterday I dug some iris's up from MIL yard and transplanted them in my yard. I'm hoping I didn't do it at a bad time? Is it safe to transplant them this time of year?
Also, I gave them a good soaking right afterwards, but how much or little should I water till they take root?
Thanks, Elizabeth
help on iris
Are these La. Iris? Unless they've already bloomed for this year, you won't get blooms after moving them until next year. The rhizome will bloom once and then put out "fingers" off the sides of the rhizome. The new fingers will bloom, but the original one won't bloom again. After a while you'll notice the number of blooms decreasing. That's when it's time to dig them up, trim off the new fingers, cut back the tops and replant, discarding the old portion that has already bloomed. I usually dig and trim about every 3rd year, but you may be able to wait longer than that, depending on the space you have and the other plants nearby. When you plant them, keep them watered and mulch them to prevent sun scald. Hope this helps.
Crow
Crow- what are La. Iris? There were a few plants at MIL house that were begining to get "blooms" (the little bulb looking thing that turns into a bloom) a few were getting those but I didn't get them.
I planted them under a window but not too close to house. There aren't any other plants around. So I should keep them watered? We had a good rain earlier today here. What's the weather like in Houston? Thanks for your help, Elizabeth
Weather is hot, way hot! I've decided the back door to Hades is just beneath the Houston streets.
La. Iris are Louisiana Iris. There are a number of different kinds. The Louisiana tend to do the best here. There are also Bearded, Dutch, Siberian, and I'm sure others that I can't think of off the top of my head. Some of them, Bearded specifically, I've had problems with. The stems don't get long enough and the bloom opens but it's stuck down in the foliage at the base of the plant, really scrunched in there. I understand they don't like our combination of high heat and humidity. Yours are most likely Louisiana. They are found in lots of older yards and gardens because they will be fine with little care. Yours likely won't bloom this year, but keep them watered during the hot months. They will go dormant during late summer/early fall, but will put out new growth and bloom spikes in early spring of the following year. I'm sure they'll be fine and that you'll love 'em. Be warned, they're addictive. I started with two colors and I've now got 5 different Iris beds with seveal kinds and colors.
Well, I just learned why my "swamp" iris or LA iris have quit blooming. Thanks for that tidbit!
Ejennings ~ if they are a regular iris, they won't bloom this spring but you didn't hurt them by moving them. Next year at this time, they will deliver blooms for you. Not to worry.
I noticed they were starting to look like they were getting ready to bloom, and last year she told me to dig some up. I was at a different house and the only place I could have planted them was where they would get the HOT afternoon sun.(about 8 hours or so of the heat of West Texas) I wasn't sure if they could take it.
I'm not sure what kind they are. They bloom a dark purple. This is my first time with the Iris so I'm new and unsure. My neighbor across the street planted some last year and they bloomed, but I can't remember when she planted them or what kind they are.
They spread, right? Like monkey grass? Or will it take a while?
They are still looking a bit wilted, I guess that's what you call it. The leaves aren't standing up, but kind of falling over. If that makes sense.
Thanks for all the help, Elizabeth
It will take a while for them to multiply... nowhere near as fast as monkey grass. Pretty blooms. The leaves falling over is common when transplanted. They will perk back up with time. Normally these plants are relocated in the fall and then you would trim the leaves back by half or two thirds. Don't do that now though as that is how the roots get their nutrients so they will bloom next spring.
Does this look like the one you transplanted?
That does look like the purple. You don't think I need to trim them back now? They just look so pitiful. We had a good hard rain today and the rain water really made them fall. I tried to knock some of the water off cause it looked like it was heavy on my leaves.?
Thanks, Elizabeth
No, don't trim them. There may be parts of the leaves that will brown and then you can cut the brown off but I would leave them as is and try to turn a blind eye to their appearance. They will recover. Promise you.... 8 )
Here's a bed that has been in place for a little over 2 1/2 years. The iris were planted here, like yours, at the wrong time of year. They were given to me, so I took them, even though they were dug in the hot summer. There were originally about 6 rhizomes, so you can see how they spread in that time. The plants in front are Stella de Oro daylilies. I have a lot of blue and yellow combos in the back garden where these are. Next to them I have yellow esperanza at the back and blue plumbago in front, so just reverse of this with the lilies in front. It's a neat checkerboard effect of yellow and blue.
Crow
I think your purple ones are like mine. I'm starting out with 13. Hope that number isn't unlucky:) I hope my bed gets as pretty as yours.
Mine are starting to look a little better. My 2 year old boy (Justan) loves to "help", so whenever I go around my irises to check on them, he's right there way too close(steps on them). I'm hoping to find a cheap border like thing to go around them as maybe a barrior:)
When my MIL starts to bloom, I'll look more closely to see exactly what kind.
Even if they don't bloom this year, it's fun to get a new plant and next year when they do bloom it will be rewarding!
Thanks for all the help. I've never had an Iris so all the suggestions and advice are VERY useful.
Elizabeth
If you like, check out my journal and you can see pics of some of the other iris I have. I'm anxiously awaiting the blooms on some new ones I've just planted this past fall and will add pics of them once they bloom.
I'm glad if some of my info was of help to you. Let us know how your iris do and please post pics when they bloom.
Crow
Crow-I'll go check those pictures out. I will update you on mine and with fingers crossed, maybe I can show some blooms this year:)
podster- They are looking better today. In a little bit I'm gonna water them. Out of 13, I hope I will have some survive the move:)
Elizabeth
Guess what? I've got new leaves coming up!! I am very excited. It's only been 6 days, but I've got new leaves(fans?) coming up out of my biggest ones.
podster- what is the name of the purple one you posted?
crowellli- I love the red one of yours. It's beautiful. I might have the unknown purple??
Elizabeth
Elizabeth ~ mine was given to me so many years ago I had no idea Irises were named! LOL And I have no idea who even gave it to me.
This yellow one was a 25 cent MN garage sale purchase... again, no name. It doesn't bloom till May and looks faded from the sun and heat. I have an old white Iris that is the first to bloom in Feb/Mar. The white is vintage and known in the south as a cemetery white Iris. That is where they are commonly planted. All are beautiful and I love the fragrance too.
Your new foliage is excellent. The foliage is how the rhizomes or roots store nutrients to bloom for next spring. We will be looking forward to your photos when they do bloom. I love the spikey foliage and really like the blend of blooms Crowelli has. That keeps interest in the bed all summer.
podster- I asked my MIL what kind they were and she said- "purple" She has no idea the name except iris!LOL
Hers have started to bloom. She said they don't stay blooms very long. Does that help?
The next time I go over there, I will look and pay special attention to what they look like.
I wish I could find deals like that around here at garage sells. But then again, its been a long time since I've been garage sell hunting- you make me want to go!!
If these do good, maybe I can find some more:)
Elizabeth
They really don't bloom for a long time but they are oh so welcome when they do... LOL I don't often find treasures at garage sales but sometimes meet plant people and add plants and make new friends. You might be in a good area for that...
I think I saw some bulbs of some sort at the Farmers Market last year come to think of it. Haven't been back, but when (if it hasn't already) it starts back, I am going to go and see what I can find:)
I wish we had farmers markets in this area. Just too rural. I have found plants at the flea markets but they are usually run of the mill ordinary.
I've only been once, but the prices were great. It's only like 2 days a week and you have to get there early. they are usually gone by 10 or so. I'm usually still drinking coffee:)
Like they say-early bird gets the worm.
You gave me something to think about though. Plants cost so much now-a-days. I used to go to Wal-Mart and Home Depot in Montgomery early and get plants they reduced, sometimes 1/2 off
because they looked dead. All they needed was some water and attention. I haven't tried here though.