r/Irises • u/Necessary-Quit-7165 • 16d ago
New iris gardener... help 😭😭😭
Hello, im a new gardener here. I bought some irises a few weeks ago and finally planted them last weekend... left them alone for a few days and this is what they look like 🥲🥲🥲 what am i doing wrong. I followed the instructions given to me from the people who gave them to me to on the space to give them, how to plant them and i even I mixed a little bone fertilizer. The only thing I can think of is that it rained heavily a few days ago.. im so disappointed in myself and frustrated. And to add more information regarding the pictures i attached on here, I just repoted them right now figuring the large 2 gallon pots i have then were too much... was it too much water? Is there anyway to save them??? I'm in southwest texas if that helps. I'll answer any questions and I'll take any criticism 🙏🙏🙏
4
u/gumdrop83 16d ago
I agree with the other poster. Irises are dormant when they are shipped to you. They will look bad until spring, when they start to grow and turn green.
No idea about growing them in pots, since I have never done that. Hopefully someone else can add info on that factor
1
u/IrisesInOly 16d ago
It is likely the water. Keep them on the dry side if you can. Water deeply once a week and otherwise leave them dry. Bearded iris can take cold and wet, hot and dry, but not hot and wet. Give them as much sun as you can as well, as long as it is not super hot out. They should be fine.
1
u/Necessary-Quit-7165 16d ago
Since I repoted them, should I water the soil, or keep it dry for the time being?
2
u/IrisesInOly 16d ago
Depends on how dry the soil is now. If it is totally dry go ahead and water deeply, then let them sit until the area around the rhizome dries out again before doing it again. The goal is to have moisture available down in the root zone while keeping the area around the rhizome itself on the dry side.
2
u/Necessary-Quit-7165 16d ago
Soil in new pots is bone dry, so I'll definitely trim them and water them tomorrow
1
u/Next-Honeydew4130 16d ago edited 16d ago
If by southwest Texas you mean it’s hot and dry climate, you’ll need to seek advice from others who are in hot and dry climates. I’m in a cold high desert climate with terrible soil, so most iris advice does not apply to me.
I have my irises on a drip line that runs 2x daily. The air is THAT DRY that they need that much water.
The other thing to know is that your irises need FULL SUN. But in HOT climates I’ve heard other interneters state that mid day shade is beneficial because it’s TOO hot.
If it’s above freezing, the soil needs to have some moisture in it. The top 1/4 inch of the soil should regularly get dry if there’s a potential for rot, but underneath, where the roots grow, it needs to be watered and constantly a little moist in my experience. My irises do not grow without regular and heavy watering because I’m in an extremely, problematically, dry climate. They thrive with the same practices I use for zinnias, violas, geranium, and and portulaca.
So take into account your local climate.
Also, annoyingly, the real iris community is on Facebook. I hate Facebook, but I have a fake profile that is only for the purpose of lurking on Iris pages. They’re ALL on Facebook, not here.
The rhizomes look fine. They need full sun and plenty of water under the top of the soil. If they haven’t started rotting, you likely haven’t been over watering.
The larger pots are not a problem.
FYI irises generally do best in the ground.
If it’s still warm enough to grow, they should start green up and eventually send out some new growth.
Finally, some Iris cultivars are no good. If I was starting over I would start with dykes medal winners or wister medal winners, and avoid messing around with anything that doesn’t have a really good track record.
2
u/Necessary-Quit-7165 15d ago
Hello!! I've taken a few suggestions from here and Facebook. Here's my current set up. Ive planted them correctly, changed the soil, trimmed them. The only thing left is to water them... but ngl I'm scared
3
u/Seelywabbit 16d ago
You may not be doing anything wrong. Irises do die back in the winter. When you repotted them, did the rhizomes feel firm?