Iris

2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38

Iris - these are amazing plants that delight with their beauty and give amazing sensations. There is a whole group of plants called water-loving irises, which are intended to be grown in various bodies of water. Many plants from this group are able to spend the winter time in the water in the fresh air.

Of course, such irises are not yet very popular, but they also have a number of indisputable advantages. These irises rarely get sick, they start flowering very early, and many species are completely unpretentious in care.

Description

Water-loving irises can be used not only as flowering plants, but also as decorative leaf crops. Many people have amazingly beautiful foliage, which retains its such attractive appearance for a very long time. For example, bristly iris can be used as a curb plant, especially for dwarf forms of such iris. It is noteworthy that in the natural conditions of central Russia, this plant is able to tolerate well even the winter period of time in an open reservoir. In the northern regions, the following irises can be planted in the reservoir: marsh or smooth. At the same time, experts do not recommend planting these two plants at the same time: after all, marsh iris can grow very strongly, as well as displace all other species.

Growing and caring

It is noteworthy that species plants will reproduce by dividing rhizomes or seeds, but varietal plants can reproduce only by dividing rhizomes. Moreover, such a division should be made either in early spring, or already closer to the end of August-early September, while drying of the rhizomes should not be allowed in any case.

In open ground, seeds should be sown before winter, and in room conditions this should be done in February-March. At room conditions, containers with seeds should be placed in plastic bags, the bags should be secured, and then kept warm for about a week. Then you should put them in a very cold place, for example, in this case, a refrigerator will do. Then the containers can be placed on the windowsills. As for open ground, the seeds should be buried by about one and a half to two centimeters, otherwise such seeds can be washed away by flood waters. The seeds will sprout in the first year of their life.

It is noteworthy that water-loving irises are practically not affected by any diseases. If we are talking about pests, then thrips should be careful, which seem to be the most dangerous. Thrips damage both leaves and branches. The larvae of the so-called iridescent sawfly are also dangerous, which devour the leaves, sometimes even reaching their central vein. Swamp iris and its varieties are especially vulnerable to these diseases. To combat all of these pests, drugs such as insecticides are suitable.

Water-loving irises are distinguished by their love for acidic soils, rich in humus and peat. The place for planting these plants should be, above all, sunny, while a slight shade is allowed. However, plants will grow in the shade, but their flowering may not occur. It will be very important to provide the plants with a sufficient amount of moisture; on especially dry days, extremely abundant watering is necessary. When you plant rhizomes directly into water bodies, you will need to submerge them in water to a depth of about twenty to thirty centimeters. The soil must be mulched regularly. In addition, an important element of care is the cutting of leaves in the autumn period of time to a height of about fifteen to twenty centimeters. It is noteworthy that in one place these plants are able to grow even for more than five years, subject to proper care and regular care of water irises.