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Post by Bess on Jun 16, 2014 11:56:18 GMT
My two bearded Irises haven't flowered this year - I've had them 3yrs and they've done fine previously. They're in a big hessian gro-bed thing, with a few other bits.
They don't look unhealthy to me although I'm no expert, and they're not too squashed in yet with anything else.
Anyone know why please? Do they sometimes just have a year off, or do I need to feed them a bit as they're in compost?
Also, I have a lovely pale lilac/blue Veronica that's 4yrs old or so, this year the bottom half of the plant has all gone brown and dry and mildewy. Looks nasty, but the top half looks great, full of flower!
Again, it's in a big hessian gro bed, and I admit it is quite squished in. Will it survive or do I need to start over?
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Post by daitheplant on Jun 16, 2014 18:27:53 GMT
The irises sound as if they need feeding Bess, the compost is probably deplete of potash which is needed for flowering. I would take cuttings from the Veronica just in case, also, if it is showing signs of mildew, spray it with a suitable fungicide.
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Post by Bess on Jun 18, 2014 20:21:59 GMT
Thanks Dai, potash it is  |
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Post by daitheplant on Jun 19, 2014 18:10:01 GMT
Bess, if you have any tomato feed that will do the job.
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Post by Bess on Jun 19, 2014 19:53:42 GMT
That's a good thing as that's what I've just been watering them with, as I was making some for the toms anyway  |
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Post by daitheplant on Jun 19, 2014 20:01:43 GMT
Keep feeding it to them, they should flower well next year.
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Post by Bess on Jun 20, 2014 19:26:48 GMT
Thank you. I think my Veronica is going to recover, it's making green shoots at the bottom, phew.
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Post by Fractal on Jun 21, 2014 8:52:37 GMT
My advice is exactly the same as Dai's. Funnily enough, I gave this same advice to a customer at work just the other day with the same problem for their bearded iris.
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Post by daitheplant on Jun 21, 2014 18:38:32 GMT
As the gardening rule says, don`t take out more than you put in. |
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Post by Cherry on Jun 26, 2014 5:28:14 GMT
Only one of the Irises given to me has flowered. I wonder if my soil is a little too acidic and rich. The dwarf bearded 'Cherry Garden' stopped flowering two years ago and just sits green and doing nothing. This is in a very hot position and the bulbs are not overgrown.
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Post by daitheplant on Jun 26, 2014 18:49:30 GMT
What have you been feeding them with Cherry?
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Post by Cherry on Jun 26, 2014 19:16:25 GMT
Nothing. If I fed my plants, they would all flop over. The soil is very good here. For instance, lots of people have admired the beautiful Campanula lactiflora 'Prichard's Variety', but I am sure it is twice the height of Tel's and he gave it to me from his plant. It is flopping over a bit now, so I will need to prop it up.
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Post by daitheplant on Jun 26, 2014 19:39:43 GMT
I will give you the same advice as Bess, Cherry, feed with a high potash feed such as Tomorite. Also water regularly. If your plants are getting a lot taller and leafier than normal, that would be down to too much nitrogen in the soil and not enough potassium and phosphates.
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Post by libralady on Feb 25, 2015 8:48:31 GMT
Should all types of Irises be planted with their rhizomes sitting just above soil level and in a sunny position.
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Post by daitheplant on Feb 25, 2015 20:47:15 GMT
I would plant the rhizomes just beneath the soil level. Most of them prefer light shade/full sun.
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