Content
Irises are perennial rhizomatous ornamental plants. There are more than 800 species in the family, distributed across all continents. The crop needs care and periodic feeding, which must be done taking into account the time of year, growing region and a number of specific characteristics. Feeding irises in spring ensures rapid vegetative growth and abundant flowering without delays.
Types of fertilizers for irises
To feed iris in spring and summer, both mineral and organic complexes are used. The plant needs the following fertilizers:
- Wood ash. It is an excellent source of phosphorus and potassium, as well as a full range of microelements that support plant immunity. Wood ash feeds soil microorganisms that improve the quality of the soil.
- Compost. Source of humus and nutrients. The loose consistency of humus helps improve the air permeability of the soil.
- Humus. Apply in liquid form (no more than two shovels per bucket of water).If the root system was damaged when adding humus, it is necessary to treat these areas with dry ash or a solution of potassium permanganate.
- Bone flour. It takes time to completely dissolve, so it is recommended to fill it with hot water and wait until it cools completely. After pouring the solution into the soil, bacteria begin to gradually process organic residues.
- Potassium sulfate. Used to support flower stalks.
- Sulfur necessary for full cellular metabolism and increased resistance to fungal infections and pathogens of various diseases.
- Ammonium sulfate used to acidify the soil. It is used in areas with neutral and alkaline soil. In addition to ammonium sulfate, add a little ground chalk to acidic soil.
Timing for feeding irises in spring, summer and autumn
Caring for most varieties requires the following fertilizing periods:
- the first procedure is carried out after the snow cover has completely disappeared. In some regions, the snow melts already at the end of February - beginning of March, in others - only by mid-April;
- the second feeding is done during the active formation of buds, the third - in the summer, when the plants are preparing for wintering.
How to feed irises
It is necessary to select fertilizers based on the time of year, soil type and other factors. To feed irises in the spring at the dacha, mineral mixtures are used, since they have a higher absorption coefficient than organic ones.If organic fertilizers are used in early spring, the soil is prepared by watering with a urea solution. It is not only rich in nitrogen, but also prevents the proliferation of pests.
How to feed irises in the spring after winter
Feeding irises after winter is based on nitrogen fertilizers, which are necessary in the spring for the active formation of green mass. The plant needs magnesium, which saturates the cells with chlorophyll. Irises also require the following fertilizers in early spring:
- potassium or ammonium nitrate;
- compost;
- balanced mineral complexes.
Fertilizers with a predominance of nitrogen are applied at the rate of 1 tbsp. l. for each plant. To improve digestibility, the fertilizer is diluted in slightly warmed water and the resulting solution is carefully watered onto the soil around the irises. Sandy soils retain nitrogen very poorly. It settles in the lower layer of soil, from where the iris roots are not able to extract it.
How to feed irises in spring for abundant flowering
In May, active formation of buds occurs, so at the end of spring, before flowering, irises need potassium-phosphorus fertilizers, which provide the plant with energy and necessary substances. Bone meal and double superphosphates obtained as a result of its processing in industrial conditions are considered a good source of phosphorus. They have worse solubility than nitrogen fertilizers, so they are applied to shallow grooves.
For lush flowering in the garden, you need to feed the irises in the spring with potassium fertilizer. You can start feeding after the first buds have formed. The ratio of potassium to phosphorus in the fertilizer should be approximately 1:3.For the next feeding, which is carried out a month later, fertilizers with phosphorus and potassium in equal proportions are needed. Superphosphates increase soil acidity, so they can only be used on sandy loams with low pH.
You can increase the decorative qualities of the iris by removing faded flowers and then trimming the peduncle near the base
The cuts should be sprinkled with a small amount of crushed coal.
Feeding irises in summer
Fertilizing in summer directly during the flowering period is not practiced. Fertilizer may only be needed if the iris is growing in depleted soil. Signs of a lack of nutrients in the soil are an unnatural shade of foliage, as well as insufficiently opened buds and a lack of lush flowering. The last feeding is carried out at the end of August - after the end of flowering. They use fertilizers with a predominance of potassium and phosphorus, which are necessary for normal wintering.
When flowering ends, a period of calm begins, characterized by a sharp slowdown in growth. After a few weeks, secondary vegetative growth begins, accompanied by intensive root formation, bud initiation and formation, and the formation of new shoots. During this period, irises are in dire need of phosphorus fertilizing. For each square meter, add 22-30 g of potassium salts and 55-60 g of superphosphates.
How to fertilize irises in the fall
Autumn feeding is not practiced, since the plant has time to stock up on the necessary nutrients during the spring and summer. If you feed irises in the fall, then with the onset of winter the condition of the flowers can only worsen.In case of excess nitrogen applied during the end of the growing season, plants suffer from fattening and have a delayed onset of flowering.
How to properly feed irises
If the irises have not been covered for the winter, fertilizer granules are scattered over the snow cover before it begins to melt. Fertilizing in dry soil is not practiced, since this can burn the root system. Compost is spread directly under the foliage in a thin layer. To distribute nutrients evenly, irises are watered. Wood ash is a good fertilizer necessary for irises to bloom in the spring. Three spoons of ash per bush is enough to significantly reduce the likelihood of diseases and stabilize the acidity of the soil.
Advice from professionals
There is an opinion among gardeners that manure is the best fertilizer for most ornamental crops. However, it is absolutely not suitable for irises, since it can severely inhibit growth and cause rotting of the root system. After fertilizing with manure, irises get sick, dry out and lose their leaves, and flowering becomes short-lived and rare. This fertilizer attracts various pests, so its use is not recommended. Experienced gardeners give the following tips regarding fertilizing irises:
- Organic substances must be used with great care, diluting them with water in a ratio of 1:20.
- It is preferable to apply dry fertilizer, ensuring the flowers are thoroughly watered.
- When feeding with leaf compost, you need to scatter it around the roots, followed by loosening the soil.
If flowering is delayed, but there is abundant growth of green mass, the problem may be excessive acidification of the garden plot.In this case, you need to feed the irises with phosphate rock in the spring, even before flowering, which will increase the pH of the soil to an optimal state.
Conclusion
Feeding irises in the spring is a process that requires knowledge and extreme caution. Do not overfeed the plant with fertilizers and mineral supplements. It is better to introduce them gradually, starting with a low concentration.
