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Garden Gate:  iris bulb question  |
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Carolinagirl
True Blue Farmgirl
486 Posts
Kim
Rutherfordton
NC
USA
486 Posts |
 Posted - Aug 27 2006 : 06:26:14 AM
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Hi y'all... in the spring my six year old daughter brought me a ton of irises (with bulbs) from my MIL's sister's house. Like an idiot, I left them sitting outside the house, in the sun, without planting them all summer. Yesterday I finally cleaned them up. The bulbs appear to be in good condition... are they still plantable? Should I do it in the fall or wait until spring? If I wait until spring, how should I store them?
Another bulb question... I bought some hosta bulbs in the spring too. Guess what? I didn't plant them. Are they still plantable, and if so, when should I plant them.
Gardening is NOT my strong suit...
Kim in NC |
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Nance in France
True Blue Farmgirl
1438 Posts
Nancy
St. Laurent de la Salanque
France
1438 Posts |
Posted - Aug 27 2006 : 06:54:52 AM
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| Greetings, Kim! If the iris rhizomes (not technically a"bulb") are firm and not mushy, all is well, and fall is the prime time to plant them; that goes for the hostas also. Since you have cleaned the irises up already, cut the leaves back to 8 inches or so and plant the rhizomes so they show some(not buried). Water both irises and hostas well and keep an eye out so they don't dry out. Next spring you'll be happy in your garden!! Nance |
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sillyfoulks
True Blue Farmgirl
164 Posts
Elizabeth
Illinois
USA
164 Posts |
Posted - Aug 28 2006 : 10:43:34 AM
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I agree with Nance on the Iris. As long as they are not mushy, they should be fine. I have iris to be very hardy, and can take some neglect. One other thing though, don't be to disappointed if they don't bloom the first year. I have found, sometimes they need a little time to get settled before they bloom.
Elizabeth
http://livingcountrystyle.blogspot.com/ |
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ali2583
True Blue Farmgirl
404 Posts
Alison
Winnipeg
Manitoba
Canada
404 Posts |
Posted - Sep 01 2006 : 3:14:43 PM
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I agree with Elizabeth. It's almost impossible to kill irises, they are very tough and hardy. They may not bloom next year, but just be patient. Also, once they're done for the season (like, this time next year) be sure to let the green die down, and don't cut it off. The dying leaves go into nutrient production for the rhizomes for next year.
It also helps to thin out your irises every 3 years.
"God's gift to you is life. What you choose to do with that life is your gift to God" |
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Garden Gate: iris bulb question |
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iris bulb question
