There are several reasons why irises might not be flowering. However, there are some easy steps you can take to help your iris plants bloom again. The first step is to check the health of your irises. You can do this by checking the plants’ leaves for any signs of rotting or disease. It’s also a good idea to use a soil tester to check the pH and nitrogen levels of your soil.
Irises thrive in moist, well-draining soil that has a slightly acidic pH. Depending on the weather, they may need watering every other week to stay healthy. A soaker hose is a good way to water them.
Besides keeping your irises well-watered, they need fertilizer. You can buy a slow-release fertilizer that contains the essential nutrients irises need. Apply it according to the label. Be sure to follow the instructions to avoid fertilizer burn. Avoid fertilizing your irises more than recommended on the bottle.
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You should remove all of the dead flowers and foliage. This allows your iris to conserve energy for new growth. If you have a large planting, you might want to divide it into multiple clumps. These will keep the irises from becoming too crowded.
You can prune your irises to a half-height in the fall. Leaves should be cut at an angle to create a fan shape. Make sure that any rainwater sitting on the cut surface does not soak into the rhizome.
You might need to replant your irises if they were killed by an early spring frost or a late freeze. In addition, you can dig up the rhizomes and plant them in a new area. After planting, make sure to water them frequently.
You should never cut a rhizome too deeply. If it becomes clogged with debris, it won’t sprout healthy stems. Rhizomes can be separated, planted in the ground, and then fertilized. To protect your irises from borers, you can use a liquid feed around the rhizomes.
As with any other plant, you can encourage your irises to grow and bloom better by dividing them. This works particularly well if the green growth is too dense. Alternatively, you can simply cut the blooms to the ground with a hand clipper.
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You can also replant irises in a different location if the original location is too shady. They prefer to grow in open spaces. Remember, the more competition you have, the less sunlight your irises will get. Also, you can plant irises in areas that have the same water needs as your irises. Using a soaker hose is a good option to ensure your irises get enough water.
To promote healthy irises, you can also fertilize them in the spring. Using a low-nitrogen organic slow-release fertilizer is best. You can also fertilize rhizomes by soaking them in a liquid feed. Depending on the temperature and the size of your irises, you may need to supplement your watering routine with a deep watering.
