Viewing post #1384345 by longk

IrisLilli said:Great images!

Thank you.

IrisLilli said:...and good tip about the Iris foetidissima!

They are often overlooked for being a bit dull/boring/invasive but allow them to grow to maturity and some gems can be found. Rubbish ones are easily removed.

IrisLilli said:Do you happen to have some good tricks or tips for the F. persicas too? Mine tend to fade after a couple of years and they are hideously expensive to replace where I live, but I have fallen in love with them so any advice would be greatly appreciated.

The only advice that I can offer is to plant in very free draining soil and plant them on their side. If your soil is not free draining improve the soil around and under the bulb for a few feet but replace the top soil unmodified (this stops so much moisture getting through). That's the best that I can offer. Remember, in it's natural habitat it grows in the poor sandy soils of the middle east but they are not unused to the cold winters of that area.
There is a train of thought that suggests that the commercially sold bulbs may be virused.