Hi Iris lovers. I have never grown an Iris so am totally new to the subject.

I fell in love with then ordered and just received my first! It's a bareroot (or rhizome?) and the name is Black Flowered.

The vendor I purchased from only provides general planting instructions so I'm a bit unsure as to how to plant this beauty. Should I soak the root first? Can I plant it in a pot, or must it be planted in the ground? Do I feed or fertilize when I plant it? Will it hurt to wait four days before planting?

Any advice anyone is willing to provide will be wonderfully helpful. I love all my plants and want to nurture them in any way I can. I know they will reward me beautifully.

in advance.

Is that the Siberian iris, Black Flowered? Very pretty! I'm not that experienced and haven't been incredibly successful so far with them so I'll leave the advice for others with more skills! Here in CO I'm told they do better in pots sunk in the ground rather than direct planting to keep more moisture around the roots. You wouldn't have the same issue, though!

Joanna ~ to the Iris Forum!

I don't grow Siberian Irises either, but I am sure there are others here that do.

You're right Liz. I have a raised planter area (about 2.5 to 3' depth) that is rich yet drains well enough for lilies and other bulbs to flourish. And pots, well, they're easy to control I guess...

Another of my concerns would be dividing them later on down the road. I'm guessing that would be two or so years????

No, it's not the Siberian variety, but this one:
https://www.whiteflowerfarm.co...

evelyninthegarden said:Joanna ~ to the Iris Forum!

I don't grow Siberian Irises either, but I am sure there are others here that do.

Evelyn!

In case pictures might help (still don't know if this is a rhizome or a root!)


The ends of the long roots feel somewhat dry, but the part closer to the crown is slightly moist.

There is a little cultural info, here(from the American Iris Society website):
http://wiki.irises.org/Spec/Sp...

Generally....your soil should be "slightly" acid, and lots of humus added....a bag of "peat soil", or, of composted cow manure, will help in both areas. as to planting depth, division, etc. The AIS site has more "cultural" info. I'll post a link to it in another post.

Welcome Joanna!

That is a Siberian iris and I have no experience in growing those. I grow bearded irises and what you have there is a beardless iris. Since it's a Siberian, it has different growing conditions than bearded irises and other beardless irises. I know all I've done is confuse you more, so I'll let others with knowledge in growing these step in.

I do love the dark irises, so I hope it does well for you.

edited to add:
Arlyn

There is a little cultural info, here(from the American Iris Society website):
http://wiki.irises.org/Spec/Sp...

Generally....your soil should be "slightly" acid, and lots of humus added....a bag of "peat soil", or, of composted cow manure, will help in both areas. as to planting depth, division, etc. The AIS site has more "cultural" info. I'll post a link to it in another post.

http://wiki.irises.org/Spec/Sp...

Joanna!

I'd soak the roots for a while if they feel dry, just until they feel more pliable so they don't break when you're planting. Water them in well, if you have a fertilizer you've been successful with for flowering plants I'd use it, either up under the roots with a soil buffer between to keep the roots from a contact burn or on the surface, not touching the new sprouts. I think the ones I've lost have been because I treated them like beardeds, they need more watering and probably a bit of shade to get established. I use stackable patio chairs over peonies I plant in the spring to give them shade for a few weeks, works wonders to keep the soil from drying and reduce transplant shock from going into immediate full sun. I've ordered several Siberian's for this year and that's going to be my plan of attack unless someone offers a better method! Sorry I don't have more concrete suggestions, I'll be watching this thread in case an experienced grower weighs in! Hope they grow well for you, quite stunning flower!

janwax said: Joanna!

Jan!

LizinElizabeth said:I'd soak the roots for a while if they feel dry, just until they feel more pliable so they don't break when you're planting. Water them in well, if you have a fertilizer you've been successful with for flowering plants I'd use it, either up under the roots with a soil buffer between to keep the roots from a contact burn or on the surface, not touching the new sprouts. I think the ones I've lost have been because I treated them like beardeds, they need more watering and probably a bit of shade to get established. I use stackable patio chairs over peonies I plant in the spring to give them shade for a few weeks, works wonders to keep the soil from drying and reduce transplant shock from going into immediate full sun. I've ordered several Siberian's for this year and that's going to be my plan of attack unless someone offers a better method! Sorry I don't have more concrete suggestions, I'll be watching this thread in case an experienced grower weighs in! Hope they grow well for you, quite stunning flower!

Liz, what a great idea about the patio chairs! Definitely doable whether in ground or in pot!
Also great advice about the fertilizer. !

UndertheSun said:Welcome Joanna!

That is a Siberian iris and I have no experience in growing those. I grow bearded irises and what you have there is a beardless iris. Since it's a Siberian, it has different growing conditions than bearded irises and other beardless irises. I know all I've done is confuse you more, so I'll let others with knowledge in growing these step in.

I do love the dark irises, so I hope it does well for you.

edited to add:
Arlyn

Arlyn! I didn't even know there were different types of irises! And I guess that if there's a bearded iris, then there would be a beardless one too, but I didn't know that either! I obviously know nothing!

Probably closely related to Siberian iris, the roots look similar. the link you provided said the common name was Siberian iris:)

I have many Siberian iris and they do best in damper soil.

when planting new ones I usually cut the long roots in half.

actually, i think they are rhizomes

once established, they are hard to kill

We've all started out knowing nothing. Even after years of growing them, I still know nothing.

I can see how my post was confusing, I was giving Arlyn a thumbs up for his response.

Sibs like to be in slightly more acidic soil, which is very unlike bearded iris. If you go to the front page of the iris database here on NGA: The Irises Database

Then click to open "more information" under Cultivation of Siberian Iris and you will find a good description of how to plant and maintain your new iris. It is really a beauty by the way!

Joanna that is a rhizome so don't bury it. It should have the top above ground as instructions show. The roots are below ground. The Iris Society of MA will have their show on May 28 Memorial Day at the Harvey Wheeler building in Concord MA. see our web site. ISM. for directions. Why not visit. We will give all sorts of news although most of the irises will be bearded ones at that time of year. Ask some of the members & says you are new to the plants.

joanna, i don't grow sibs (siberian irises), so i'm sorry i have no knowledge to impart. i do grow another kind of beardless iris, which we on the forum refer to as ji's ( Japanese iris) they like more water than the bearded variety, which i do have, too.

japanese iris love a more acidic soil, and if fed lime (which is the opposite on the ph scale) will kill them.

good luck on your new adventure, and browse through the posts. you'll see photos of many wonderful bearded irises blooming in forum members gardens.

Joanna
There is some good information on this Australian website:
https://www.dayliliesinaustral...

It is described as "Best in a wet pond margin or damp clay soil" at the Woodbridge nursery website
http://www.woodbridgenursery.c...

I think it would struggle to survive if you plant it in sandy soil.