One of the advantages of iris is the possibility of dividing it in different ways for planting in new areas. Large, spectacular flowers appear in early spring and will bloom until the summer. Read more about how to quickly and correctly propagate these flowering perennials - read further in the material.

Species diversity of irises

All irises are representatives of the Iris family. The genus includes more than 800 plants growing on different continents. Their color diversity is so great that it was reflected in the name, which in Greek means “rainbow”.

Methods of propagation of irises

Reproduction of irises is possible in several ways. The main ones relate to vegetative propagation - due to the division of the rhizome or the separation of young bulbs. Rhizomes breed bearded irises, popular in domestic gardens. They grow up to 40 cm and have large flowers. The other part is propagated by bulbs, like the Dutch. They are not so big, but they are great for growing indoors, they also grow well in containers on the street.

Generative seed

All varieties of irises, without exception, can be propagated by seed. This is especially important for breeders. After all, the bulbs or parts of the root copy the mother plant, and the seeds allow you to get new varieties of these beautiful flowers. Therefore, if you want to develop a new garden variety, then for this you will need 2 parent plants. One of which will be pollinated by pollen of the other. To obtain high-quality plants, select for propagation those varieties that are resistant to climatic conditions and rarely get sick.

Important! Anthers should be collected on the first day of flowering, and pollinate the flower on the second day from emergence.

Those who want to engage in selection need to remember the following rules:

1. To achieve successful pollination, you need to get as much pollen as possible.
2. The easiest way to get it is to take out the anther (an organ producing pollen) and rub it (or with a brush in pollen) the stigma of the second flower.

If pollination was successful, then the iris will form a box with seeds. They will contain varietal characters of both parents. They can be used for further selection or further routine propagation. It is difficult for a beginner to predict how genes will be combined. So you can start by simply getting the iris seeds. In the natural environment, the flower almost does not form them, since it is difficult for pollinating insects to get to its pollen.

Video: How to propagate by seed

The seed box is formed a week after pollination. And in order to grow, she will need about 10-12 weeks. By the time of ripening, it begins to turn yellow. They tear it off and dry it indoors. And then the resulting seed is stored in a paper bag until planted in the ground. Sowing seeds on the garden is carried out in September. You will need to prepare the site and sow with furrows. Or prepare the planting soil with a container and plant the seeds in it.

Landing technology:

1. Soak the seeds in a bowl of water for 3-5 days.
2. Change the water daily. This will prevent the development of fungi and mold.
3. Drain the liquid 20 minutes before sowing and let them dry a little.
4. Prepare the planting mixture. You will need 2 parts peat, 1 part perlite, 3 parts sterilized compost.
5. Sow the seeds in a container to a depth of 1 cm.
6. Place a container with plants outdoors. Leave the winter outdoors. At low temperatures, the seeds will sleep, and in the spring they will germinate as soon as the weather is favorable.
7. Before the cold weather, water the pot so that the soil does not dry out. You need to maintain a little moisture. But excessive watering should be avoided so as not to create conditions for decay.
8. When the irises sprout in the spring, rearrange the pot on a sunny spot.

About half of the seeds germinate. But those that have not sprouted can grow later, and not only this year. Therefore, do not throw the soil out of the pots, but bring it to the area where the irises are transplanted.

Vegetative

Vegetative is a method of propagation in which a new plant is obtained from part of the root, leaf or stem. This method becomes possible due to the fact that the part of the plant used during propagation contains undifferentiated cells that can create organs for the new iris. The main advantage of the method is that the new iris will be a copy of the parent.

And if you have a very good variety, then it is advisable to propagate it vegetatively. This is especially important if you will grow plants for sale. With this reproduction, irises reach maturity faster, as they pass the “seedling” phase. This saves time and resources for the commercial manufacturer.

Rhizome division

Rhizomes are root stems that grow horizontally underground.. New roots and shoots are formed in places of thickening of such a stem. When propagating, the root is dug up and cut into pieces. It is necessary to carry out the division and transplantation every 3-5 years.

When propagating by rhizome, you will need:

1. Dig that iris, where the number of individual plants is very large. To do this, dig a circle around the bush with a shovel to loosen the roots.
2. Free the rhizome from the soil.
3. Shorten the roots to 10 cm. Cut the leaves to 10-15 cm.
4. Soak the root in a solution of potassium permanganate for 2 hours. To dry.
5. Cut into separate parts. Leave at least one fan of leaves on each rhizome. Discard old pieces of root.
6. To process slices with charcoal.
7. Place in the shade for 5 days so that the slices dry.
8. Prepare the site. Make landing pits.
9. Plant the plants so that the leaves are turned in the direction of movement of the sun.
10. Bury not too deep so that the roots do not begin to rot.

Did you know? In the natural environment, irises grow on the edge of ponds and lakes in moist soil and in shallow water. They can reach a height of 1.5 m, although most grow to no more than 1 m.

Propagate the plant after the iris fades. Wait for the leaves to turn yellow and fade. This will happen by the end of July. You will need dry, hot weather. Try to plant parts 60 cm apart, considering how an adult plant grows.

Video: Division and proper landing of irises

Bulbs

Bulbs form as lateral buds at the base of the mother plant. From these buds, young irises develop. The Dutch variety differs from its larger relatives in that it grows not so large, propagates by bulbs, and not from fleshy rhizomes and can grow indoors. They bloom in late spring or early summer outdoors. Bulbs of Dutch iris are planted in September or October. It will take them about 4 months to root and bloom.

Did you know? Iris oil is used in modern aromatherapy and perfumery.

Landing:

1. Bulbs need a period of cold treatment in order to bloom profusely. The required temperature is from + 1 ° С to + 10 ° С. It is best to put them in the refrigerator. To do this, take a plastic bag, fill with peat moss. Put onions in it. Leave them in the bag for 12 weeks.
2. Before disinfecting in a solution of potassium permanganate for 5 hours.
3. For home planting, fill the bowl with pebbles. Press the flat end of the bulb against the stones so that the pebbles keep the plant upright. The landing will be quite dense, since the bulbous iris does not need a large space.
4. Pour water into the bowl so that it is below but not covering the stones. The roots will tend to water and grow. Bulbs should be located above it. Only the roots should be immersed in water, otherwise the plant will rot.
5. Bulbs need room temperature + 23 ° С to continue development. Therefore, you can leave a bowl with them in any room where there will be a lot of light.
6. Replenish water as it evaporates.

Video: Bulbous irises, planting features

When planting in the soil, the iris bulbs also first need to be treated with a solution of potassium permanganate. Then dig a plot, making the earth loose. Dig holes. Pour sand at the bottom of each. It should occupy a third of the volume of the hole. Put the bulb in the center and sprinkle with soil. It must be buried in the ground no more than a third of the height. Finish planting by watering and mulching.

When to plant

Planting time depends on what exactly needs to be planted. If we are talking about seeds, then they are planted in the ground in September. Young plants in the northern regions need to be planted in the spring, and in the southern - in the fall. The division of rhizomes is carried out after the leaves have dried. This happens in July or later.

Land preparation

Preparation for landing begins with the selection of a sunny site. Iris needs at least 6 hours a day of bright sunshine. Once selected, dig a patch to a depth of at least 15 cm. Or, form raised beds to the same height if the patch is too clay.

Add organic fertilizer if necessary. It can be compost, or humus. Iris prefers well-drained garden soil. Use low nitrogen and high phosphorus fertilizer when planting. For example, 5-10-10, where the numbers indicate the percentage in a solution of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Apply it at the rate of 150 g per 5 m² of area. Mix fertilizer with soil just before planting.

Preparing planting material

If we are talking about seeds, then they are stored until planting in a cool and dry place. Before you lower them into the soil, soak in a pale pink solution of potassium permanganate for several hours. Bulbs can be carriers of fungal diseases. Therefore, they are examined, discarded rotten and those on which there are spots.

Then treated with antifungal drugs. For example, Fundazolom. The solution for processing is prepared in accordance with the instructions on the package. Having taken out of the solution, allow the planting material to dry and only then plant it in the ground. As for the rhizome, they dig it out at the end of winter before the start of the growing season. Be sure to process a solution of potassium permanganate, dried and then planted.

Important! Iris is toxic. Ingestion of parts of the plant can cause diarrhea and vomiting.

Landing

If planting will be carried out on the bed, then it must be carefully prepared: dig, remove weeds and stones. Planting seeds is also necessary in September. For dense soil, organic fertilizers will be required. It can be compost or humus. They will nourish the soil and at the same time make it more loose. In spring, the seeds will germinate. Be sure to weed them from weeds and water, maintaining moderate soil moisture. In order not to remove irises along with grass, mark the bed with pegs and braid.

When planting rhizomes, use the following scheme:

1. Dig a hole 20 × 30 cm. It should be larger than the size of the rhizome. Depth - up to 10-12 cm.
2. Mix part of the soil with humus or compost and lay on the bottom.
3. Lay the rhizome and cover it with the remaining soil. Seal.
4. Water and compact the soil.
5. In the following days, water so that the plant begins to form new roots.

In the process of germination, plants actively absorb water. Therefore, watering should be regular. Drought can kill sprouts. Bright illumination of the site will contribute to germination. Also, all parts of the plant need oxygen for development, which means the soil must be loose and well aerated. If its supply in the soil decreases, then the growth of the iris will slow down.

Transfer to a permanent place

When the iris seeds sprout, they can be planted in a permanent place with well-drained soil. The ideal time for this is the end of summer or the beginning of autumn. In this period, plants are less susceptible to bacterial and fungal rot, because the weather is dry. In cold regions, transplantation is carried out in early spring. This allows the iris to form a healthy and strong root system before wintering.

Trim the leaves before transplanting. Prepare the bed. Plant the plants so that the top of the rhizome is just above the soil level. Do not bury too deeply so that they do not rot.

Care for young plants

Apply fertilizer with a low nitrogen content a month before flowering. After the first appearance of flowers, fertilizer can also be applied if the soil is not fertile enough. As a rule, irises do not need much water. But they will have to be watered during periods of drought. Louisiana, Siberian, and Japanese irises need more moisture than bearded ones. Therefore, they are watered once a week. Use a layer of mulch. It will protect the soil from drying out and weed growth. But it can not be placed so that it falls on the rhizome or stems. This can cause rot.

Cut the flower stalks after flowering, but do not touch the foliage. It will dry itself when the roots are ready for the next growing season. Yellowed leaves will need to be cut off at the ground itself to reduce the likelihood of contracting diseases or pests.

Irises of different varieties and colors bring bright colors to the spring or summer garden. The vast majority of them are completely unpretentious and can grow in any climatic zones. Grow them in sunny areas and do not forget to follow the simple rules for caring for them.