Just wondering how many use this. If you do, could you give me some advice please. Should it be put on in the Spring or now? Or both? I was told it can help rebloomers to put up stalks in the Fall. Thanks, Teresa

i don't use it. Thought this was more meant for Daffy's and such.

I use it on my irises and bulbs.

I give my irises a tablespoon each mixed into the soil when I plant them out and then I give them a light sprinkle in spring, when they put up new fans and again after they are done blooming.

I'm sure there are other ways to do it - especially if you are in a different zone, but this works very well for me. Mind you, my season is short and I have only ever had 're-bloom' on newly planted irises, which have been a little confused.

I was told years ago by a lady who used to hybridize irises (may she rest in peace), to add a handful of bone meal in the hole and mix it in when you plant them. She had small hands, so I used to just grab "some". How's that for a level of measurement. Don't use it on a windy day, you don't want to inhale the bone meal dust.

Thanks for the input. Nope, I sure don't want to breath it!

I have put it into the hole when planting, but you should know that it doesn't become available for the plant to use until it breaks down, and that can be along time.

Well, thanks Tom. It would do nothing to help makes stalks this late in the year would it. I had purchased a bag but I may just wait. Which would be best apply now or in the Spring?

I have used it but dogs love it and will dig up the plants if they smell the bone meal. That just happened to me about a month ago. That dog has since died (not from the bone meal) so I do not have to worry. The owner was not very responsible so he was always in my yard. I use it at the bottom of the hole when planting fall bulbs and when I am planting irises if I remember.

Our old Lab is not with us anymore but he was a digger sometimes. My neighbor has a beagle, if I do apply it, may be I should just try a small area first.

I always put it in the hole when I planted them, I never side dressed with it. I think the best time to fertilize the re-bloomers is right after they are done blooming, it's a bit late now, and excessive late new growth can be very tender over winter. I think a regular balanced fertilizer like 10 10 10 would be best, but Arlyn is the re-bloomer in the group. better ask him.

I put it in the hole when planting. Then work some in around each iris in the fall, and especially again about a month before bloom season. This was what I was taught way back.

My rebloomers wait until crazy late so I guess they enjoy the extra food coming their way?

I've used it at planting time, for irises, but, generally I use it most on bulbs (tulips, daffies, etc., and on the 'bulb type" irises). For some good, general information on the care and feeding of re bloomers, here's the Winterberry page on culture:
http://winterberryirises.com/i...

bonemeal is a fine organic fertilizer and additions of it won't hurt, but its a "incomplete" fertilizer. In my experience if you need phosphorus in the soil, get your soil tested, and then use a complete formulation -- ie 5 -10-10, or 6-8-12, or even a 10-20-20
and incorporate it into the soil/iris bed prior to planting. Phosphorus moves very VERY slowly in the soil because of its binding ability with soil ions and cations, and in cased of very high ph or low, it doesn't move at all.
Also iris use NPK (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium) ratio's differently depending on time of year. For example, in the spring the ratio is 1-1-1 meaning the iris clump is sucking up all three nutrients at an even rate. Immediately or soon after bloom the balance starts to shift to a 1-2-2 ratio, ie the iris is using more phosphorus and potassium and less nitrogen. During late summer and fall, the balance completely shifts to a 0-2-2 or similar ratio as the iris matures its rhizomes and hardens its cell walls in preparation for freezing temps.
I use a 16-16-16 with nitrogen evenly split between a fast release and a slow release. Also most important of all, is that bearded iris seem to be heavy users of trace elements -- ie zinc, manganese, molybdenum, etc. If you can incorporate a fertilizer brand with these minor elements, you'd be amazed at the performance increase.

disclaimer:
The above is observations from my personal 43 years of growing bearded iris and is offered as "food" - lol -- for thought ONLY. Your individual soil, climate and environment can differ greatly. A good source of info is a local iris society, and the members experiences. Please pardon the length of my post

Thanks, that's some good information!

Thank you, Timothy!

It is amazingly hard to get 5-10-10 and 10-10-10 in this area. Not sure why but the variety of fertilizers to be had is limited.

A lot of areas have restrictions on the phosphates in fertilizers.

I find 6-10-10 at Walmart labeled as All Purpose fertilizer .

I can only find 13 13 13 here, but I just use less.

I would like to thank everyone for their input. Timothy, it is good to see you posting. 43 yrs! Wow that is a lifetime of growing experience! I would love to see some of your pictures.