Notes for the Viewer
- Spring only blooming bearded irises CANNOT become reblooming ones.
- Fall reliability in the East depends on cool season rebloom genes in each variety. More is better. Locally bred and grown selections give the best results.
- Warm season rebloom varieties often do not succeed in our fickle Virginia climate.
- Micro-climates play an important role in performance.
- Rebloomers DO NOT go dormant in summer.
- During summer dry spells, deep root watering twice a week is strongly recommended.
- Some varieties are very vigorous. (TB Clarence is a good example) These selections need to be divided once flowering begins to decline.
- Tall bearded rebloomers should always be divided in July and August. NEVER in the fall. Medians from early to mid September.
- During planting, blend Rock Phospate (organic phosphorous) and Green Sand (organic potassium) into soil backfill around plants. These fertilizers provide long term nutrition until the clump needs future division.
- Clumps should be divided on a staggered schedule. Flowering can therefore be assured each growing season.
- Crickets like to chew on exposed rhizomes in July and August. A thin layer of soil over the rhizomes keeps these pests at bay.
- After spring bloom, remove spent bloomstalks to ground level and lightly apply a complete fertilizer such as 5-10-5 or 5-10-10 around clump edges.
NEVER use high nitrogen fertilizers.
- Collected spent iris foliage and bloomstalks need to be discarded in the trash or burned. NEVER COMPOST!!
- Good garden sanitation encourages disease and insect prevention. These problems may still appear requiring PROMPT chemical intervention.
- Bearded irises like most perennial hybrid plants are not FOOL PROOF. A commitment to basic care will insure years of success and enjoyment.
- For more information, go to the LEARN section on www.springtimeinthefall.com website.
- Mike Lockatell will greet Richmond viewers at his rebloom trial display at Gulf Market, 9200 Midlothian Turnpike, North Chesterfield, VA 23235 on Saturday, November 1st and Sunday, November 2nd from 1-5PM See you there.
